When someone you love is nearing the end, every touch matters. You want to help, to ease their pain, to make their final days feel safe and human.
But what truly makes a difference? According to recent research, the answer might lie in something far simpler than expected—and it has nothing to do with medication.
We often think of end-of-life care as revolving around pain relief and emotional support.
But new findings suggest that how we care for a person’s skin—specifically the fragile area around pressure sores—can significantly affect their quality of life and even extend it.
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The Hidden Power of Skin Care
For patients who can no longer move much, pressure ulcers are almost inevitable. These wounds can become moist, infected, and incredibly painful.
But proper attention to the surrounding skin—keeping it clean, nourished, and protected—can change everything.
A study led by Maribel Pastor, a nurse and professor at the Catholic University of Valencia, found that patients receiving immediate and thoughtful care to the skin around their wounds experienced more comfort, fewer infections, and even lived longer—by as much as several weeks.
More than physical comfort, this care helped patients feel dignified and seen. It created a sense of peace at a time when the body is failing but the mind and spirit remain aware.
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A Softer Ending
The study, which followed 100 terminally ill patients across two hospitals in Valencia from 2020 to 2024, included individuals with serious neurological and oncological conditions. Those who received dedicated skin care were:
- Less likely to suffer from foul-smelling or weeping wounds
- More likely to rest peacefully
- Less distressed emotionally
- Living, on average, two to four weeks longer
- Perceived by family as more present and engaged
Conversely, poor skin condition was linked to greater discomfort, more infections, and shorter survival.
More Than Just Medicine
When medicine can no longer cure, care becomes the most powerful tool we have. Pastor’s research suggests that skin care—something often viewed as routine or secondary—should be central in palliative treatment.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence.
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By paying close attention to these so-called minor details, we offer something essential: dignity, humanity, and the quiet message that this person still matters deeply.
This article is based on information from elEconomista.es.
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