Serious Illness & End-of-Life Care
Goals of Care and Quality of Life: Defining What Matters Most
Reviewed by Everendium Editorial Team · Last reviewed August 18, 2026
Quick answer
Goals of care are the specific priorities guiding medical decisions — some people prioritize length of life, others prioritize comfort and quality of life, and many aim for some balance between the two. Defining this clearly helps doctors and family make decisions aligned with what actually matters most to the person.
These conversations can feel abstract until they’re made concrete — clarifying what actually matters most helps guide real medical decisions.
What “goals of care” means
Goals of care are the specific priorities that guide medical decision-making for someone with a serious illness. Common examples include:
- Prioritizing treatments aimed at extending life, even if aggressive or uncomfortable
- Prioritizing comfort and quality of life over length of life
- Seeking a balance — pursuing some treatment while also protecting comfort and daily function
None of these is more “correct” than another — this is a deeply personal decision.
Quality of life is personally defined
There’s no universal definition. For some people, quality of life means being able to think clearly and communicate with family. For others, it means being at home rather than in a hospital. For others, it means being as free from pain as possible, even if that requires more sedation. Understanding what specifically matters to a particular person — rather than assuming — is the actual goal here.
This can change over time
Goals of care aren’t a one-time decision. As an illness progresses, or as circumstances change, it’s common and expected to revisit these conversations and adjust — this isn’t a sign of indecision, it’s a normal part of the process.
Who should be part of these conversations
Ideally the person themselves, their medical team, and close family. If the person can no longer communicate their own wishes, their designated healthcare proxy takes the lead, guided by whatever the person previously expressed — which is exactly why documenting wishes in advance (see our Planning Ahead guides) matters so much.
This is general educational information. Please have these conversations directly with the medical team involved in a specific person’s care.
Frequently asked questions
What are 'goals of care,' exactly?+
The specific priorities that guide medical decision-making for someone with a serious illness — for example, prioritizing aggressive treatment aimed at extending life, versus prioritizing comfort and quality of life, or some balance between the two.
Can goals of care change over time?+
Yes — and this is common and expected. As an illness progresses or circumstances change, goals of care are often revisited and adjusted, rather than being decided once and fixed permanently.
How is 'quality of life' actually defined?+
This is deeply personal — some people prioritize being able to think clearly and communicate, others prioritize being at home rather than in a hospital, others prioritize being free of pain even if it means more sedation. There's no universal definition.
Who should be involved in defining goals of care?+
Ideally the person themselves, their medical team, and close family — though if the person can no longer communicate their wishes, whoever holds healthcare decision-making authority (a healthcare proxy) takes the lead, informed by whatever the person previously expressed.
Sources
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