Former First Lady Barbara Bush is in failing health and won’t seek further medical treatment. While the nature of Mrs. Bush’s illness is unclear, family spokesperson Jim McGrath says Mrs. Bush will focus on “comfort care.” Mrs. Bush is currently resting at home.
When to continue pursuing medical treatment, and when to focus instead on a patient’s comfort is one of many end-of-life decisions health care professionals help patients and their families navigate.
Houston Matters discusses the concept of comfort care with Dr. Carmel Dyer. She’s the executive director of UTHealth’s Consortium on Aging.