It's normal for a dying person to sleep more. They may generally become less interested in what is going on around them, and have less energy to take part, but this does not necessarily mean they're no longer hearing what you say to them.
People often become more drowsy and sleep more towards the end of life. This is one of many signs that a person may have when they are in their last few days and hours of life, but not everyone will experience this.
You'll start to feel more tired and drowsy, and have less energy. You'll probably spend more time sleeping, and as time goes on you'll slip in and out of consciousness.
Pulse and heartbeat are irregular or hard to feel or hear. Body temperature drops. Skin on their knees, feet, and hands turns a mottled bluish-purple (often in the last 24 hours) Breathing is interrupted by gasping and slows until it stops entirely.
End of life care should begin when you need it and may last a few days or months, or sometimes more than a year. People in lots of different situations can benefit from end of life care. Some of them may be expected to die within the next few hours or days. Others receive end of life care over many months.
The end-of-life period—when body systems shut down and death is imminent—typically lasts from a matter of days to a couple of weeks. Some patients die gently and tranquilly, while others seem to fight the inevitable. Reassuring your loved one it is okay to die can help both of you through this process.
There are three main stages of dying: the early stage, the middle stage, and the last stage. These are marked by various changes in responsiveness and functioning. However, it is important to keep mind that the timing of each stage and the symptoms experienced can vary from person to person.
Terminal agitation is typically seen during the hours or days before death and can be distressing and overwhelming for caregivers.
Researchers believe that a person can live for up to three weeks without food as long as they have water to drink. Without both water and food, a person cannot survive for more than four days.
Someone with a terminal illness may live for days, weeks, months or years. It often depends on their diagnosis and any treatment they are having. It can be difficult for healthcare professionals to predict exactly how long someone with a terminal illness will live (their prognosis).
According to one study, you cannot survive for more than 8 to 21 days without food and water. Individuals on their deathbeds who use little energy may only last a few days or weeks without food or water.
As the end of life nears, the body gradually loses its ability to digest and process foods and liquids. As organs and bodily functions shut down, minimal amounts of nutrition or hydration/liquids might be needed, if at all.
Fear, anxiety and anger are all commonly seen characteristics of patients with terminal illnesses. As your loved one's health declines, you may notice them develop bitterness or anger. This is called terminal agitation. Along with this, terminal delirium and terminal restlessness may also present themselves.
Pre-Death Energy Surge. Some people experience a brief surge in energy in the hours or days before death. This may last from a few minutes to several hours. During this time, your loved one may talk more, be interested in engaging in conversation, or interested in eating or drinking.
Active Stage Of Dying
The first stage is known as pre-active dying. A person will start to detach from social activities and spend more time sleeping. They will also lose appetite. Their bodies will find it hard to heal wounds.
The active stage of dying generally only lasts for about 3 days. The active stage is preceded by an approximately 3-week period of the pre-active dying stage. Though the active stage can be different for everyone, common symptoms include unresponsiveness and a significant drop in blood pressure.
The dying person will feel weak and sleep a lot. When death is very near, you might notice some physical changes such as changes in breathing, loss of bladder and bowel control and unconsciousness. It can be emotionally very difficult to watch someone go through these physical changes.
When someone is dying, their heartbeat and blood circulation slow down. The brain and organs receive less oxygen than they need and so work less well. In the days before death, people often begin to lose control of their breathing. It's common for people to be very calm in the hours before they die.
Many people lose consciousness near the end of life. But they may still have some awareness of other people in the room. They may be able to hear what's being said or feel someone holding their hand.
Although it can include end of life care, palliative care is much broader and can last for longer. Having palliative care doesn't necessarily mean that you're likely to die soon – some people have palliative care for years. End of life care offers treatment and support for people who are near the end of their life.