Compassion Is Crucial for Healing

Health issues can occur at various stages of life. Regardless of the individual’s age, there are a few necessary steps to the recovery process. The main focus is the treatment to repair damage or slow the progression of any disease or condition. One often-forgotten aspect is compassion for healing, though it is an essential part of the equation.

At Fairview Adult Day Care Center in Brooklyn NY, we offer several compassionate care options to meet all our visitors’ needs. We have specialized nursing care, social worker services, and therapeutic recreation activities available at our facility. There are also cognitive and rehab therapy services for adults of all ages to help them cope with any issue. Our highly trained staff understands the importance of compassion for our registrants, which we’ll discuss more below.

Group photo of happy senior people who benefited from compassion healing care programs

How Compassion Helps Healing

Compassion is a combination of genuine sympathy for the suffering of others and a desire to aid them in reducing such distress. Though not necessarily part of medical training, it is a vital aspect of medical care.

There are several reasons for this.

  • It can help to relax and reduce pain

One of the ways compassion affects healing is related to pain. Doctors who use kindness when discussing procedures, including pain expectations, can actually reduce the pain an individual experiences. Medical professionals who listen attentively to concerns help alleviate the patient’s fears, increasing their relaxation. In many cases, the reduced pain is accompanied by less severe symptoms and faster recovery.

  • It helps to reduce stress

When an individual feels heard, it also helps them open up to their physicians and other medical personnel. Patients offer more information about their symptoms and needs, which helps their doctor determine a diagnosis and proper treatment. Stress levels are reduced, as are cortisol levels, and healing occurs at a faster rate.

  • Helps to reduce blood pressure

The cardiovascular system can also be affected when an individual is treated with compassion by their medical team. When an individual feels stress or anxiety due to an illness or other factors in their life, their blood pressure increases. If they receive reassurance or encouragement from their partner, therapist, or doctor, the reverse occurs. As their worries are calmed, so is their body, lowering their blood pressure.

  • Compassion can boost immunity

There is also evidence that compassion boosts immunity. Not only does this increase healing and lessen symptoms, but it also reduces how often individuals get sick. The more kindness, empathy, and understanding a patient receives from their medical team, the healthier they are overall. They also experience fewer feelings of isolation, trusting their medical team to be there when needed.

Compassion in nursing

Nurses spend more time with individuals seeking medical care, whether in hospitals, ADCs, rehab facilities, or nursing homes. As well as offering medical assistance, they are also there to offer kind words and a gentle touch when required. They also provide essential services during pre- and post-operative care.

Combining emotional and physical support ensures individuals feel comfortable. Stress, anxiety, and pain levels drop, improving healing for a faster recovery. Compassion during care also builds trust between adults and elderly patients and their nurses and breeds honesty and open dialogue.

This article is for educational and informational purpose only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. For any questions about your own health condition, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.