Kolcabas Comfort

Theory
Presented by: Dave Jay S. Manriquez RN.

Kolcabas Comfort Theory

Personal Background

Born as Katharine Arnold on December 8th 1944, in

Cleveland, Ohio
Married with two children and eight grandchildren
Founder of a local parish nurse program
Member of the American Nurse's Association
Currently an associate professor of nursing at the
University of Akron College of Nursing
Published Comfort Theory and Practice: a Vision for
Holistic Health Care and Research

Kolcabas Comfort Theory

Education

Diploma in nursing from St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in

1965
Graduated from the first RN to MSN class at the Frances Payne
Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University in
1987
Graduated with PhD in nursing and received certificate of
authority clinical nursing specialist in 1997
Specialized in Gerontology, End of Life and Long Term Care
Interventions, Comfort Studies, Instrument Development,
Nursing Theory, Nursing Research

Kolcabas Comfort Theory

Awards & Recognition

1991-92: Pre-Doctoral Fellowship in Interdisciplinary Health,

CWRU Internal Grant
1997: Marie Haug Student Award for excellence in aging
studies
1997: Honour a Researcher Award
2003: Mary Hanna Memorial Journalism Award in recognition
for the article Care of the Perianesthesia Nursing
2003: Advancement of Science Award from Midwest Nursing
Research Society, End of Life and Palliative Care Nursing

Kolcabas Comfort Theory

Kolcabas Comfort Theory

Kolcabas Metaparadigms
Nursing

Intentional assessment of comfort needs, the

design of comfort measures to address those
needs, and the reassessment of comfort levels after
implementation.
Assessment may be either objective, such as in the
observation of wound healing, or subjective, such
as by asking if the patient is comfortable.

Kolcabas Metaparadigms
Health

According to Kolcaba, health is considered

to be optimal functioning, as defined by the
patient, group, family or community

Kolcabas Metaparadigms
Patient

According to Kolcaba, patients can be

considered as individuals, families,
institutions, or communities in need of
health care.

Kolcabas Metaparadigms
Environment

Any aspect of the patient, family, or

institutional surroundings that can be
manipulated by a nurse(s), or loved one(s) to
enhance comfort

Kolcabas Comfort Theory

Case Study

An 85 year old Caucasian female suffering from

Alzheimers disease has recently become
increasingly agitated, voicing paranoid
declarations, weeping and screaming and trying to
leave the nursing home premises. Staff is
concerned because family members rarely come to
visit.

Kolcabas Comfort Theory

Case Study
Physical

Relief

Ease

Transcendence

Constipation

Restlessness
and moaning

Why am I having this

pain? (point to
abdomen)

Weeping and
Screaming

Need for emotional

and spiritual support

Psychospiritual Depression
Environmental

Small unit; many

dementia patients
which increases
noise

Trying to leave
premises

Need for calm,

familiar environmental
elements and
distraction

Sociocultural

Absence of family

Regular phone
use to call
family
members.

Need for reassurance

from staff regarding
the familys location

Kolcabas Comfort Theory

Case Study

Comfort Intervention

Example

Standard Comfort
Interventions

Assessment
Vitals
Medications

Social worker
Consultations with
doctor/family

Coaching

Encourage ADLs
Emotional support
Reassurance

Listening
Step by step
guidance

Comfort food for the soul

Touch therapy
Reduced
environmental
stimuli

Spending time
Visual
communication

Kolcabas Comfort
Theory
References

Kolcaba, K. (2007, May 3). An introduction to comfort

theory. In The comfort line. Retrieved November 10, 2007,
from
http://www.thecomfortline.com/
Kolcaba, K. (2007, May 3). The comfort line. Retrieved
November 9, 2007, from http://www.thecomfortline.com/
Tomey, A.M., & Alligood, M. R. (2006). Nursing theorists
and
their work (6th edition). St.Louis, Missouri: Mosby.