Palliative care is focused on improving the quality of life and supporting family and caregivers. Palliative care strives to manage pain and other symptoms that may be experienced by a patient. Palliative care is more concerned with comfort at this point in time rather than curing a disease. The focus is not only on the physical symptoms but also mental, emotional and spiritual needs for the patient. While many people think that palliative care is only for those at home close to death, it can be used at any time during a serious illness.