Tukihoitona

Tukihoitona, or supportive care, is a form of health and social care designed to improve a person’s comfort, daily functioning, and quality of life when disease-modifying treatment is limited or not pursued. Its aim is symptom relief, functional support, and psychosocial well-being, rather than a focus on curing the underlying illness.

The scope of tukihoitona includes medical symptom management (such as pain, breathlessness, fatigue, nausea), medication management, nutrition and hydration support, assistance with activities of daily living, mobility and rehabilitation, and psychosocial or spiritual support. It often addresses the needs of family caregivers as well, recognizing the broader social context of care. The approach is holistic and individualized, adapting to changes in the patient’s condition and preferences.

Tukihoitona is delivered across settings, including the patient’s home, long-term care facilities, hospices, or alongside hospital care when appropriate. It is provided by a multidisciplinary team that may involve nurses, physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, dietitians, and other specialists, coordinated to align with the patient’s goals.

The care process typically follows assessment, planning, implementation, and regular review, with emphasis on patient autonomy and advance care planning. Documentation, clear communication among professionals, and coordination with primary and specialized care services are essential. While not inherently end-of-life care, tukihoitona often overlaps with palliative approaches and seeks to support dignity and comfort throughout the illness trajectory.