A palliative patient can live for days, months, or even years, as palliative care focuses on quality of life for any serious illness, not just the final days, and can be used for extended periods, even alongside life-prolonging treatments, with duration depending heavily on the individual's specific condition, age, and overall health. While some patients with rapidly progressing diseases might need intensive care for weeks, others with chronic conditions can receive palliative support for years, with the goal being comfort and managing symptoms.
The end-of-life process is highly individual, but the final stage, known as active dying, can last from hours to several days or even weeks, with a typical "transitioning" phase often taking a few days to a couple of weeks, followed by a more intense active dying phase that might be just days or hours before death. This timeframe depends on the underlying illness, but it's marked by the body gradually slowing down, increased sleep, weakness, confusion, and changes in breathing and eating, with the final hours often involving unconsciousness.
The active phase of dying is the final stage of the natural process of bodily functions slowing down and/or ceasing. It's important to understand what to expect and to learn the signs of active dying, but it's also important to keep in mind that predicting when your loved one will pass away is still difficult.
What to do for someone who is dying
Some people may have a condition causing them to be very ill and may need palliative care for only a few weeks. Others may need end of life and palliative care at intervals over a period of months or years.
No. 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.
In addition to improving quality of life and helping with symptoms, palliative care can help patients understand their choices for medical treatment. The organized services available through palliative care may be helpful to any older person having a lot of general discomfort and disability very late in life.
But the body tries valiantly. The first organ system to “close down” is the digestive system.
The “three magic phrases”—you will not be alone, you will not feel pain, we will be okay—struck a chord with me not only as someone who has sat beside dying friends, but as someone who has wondered what I would want to hear if it were me.
In many cultures, the number 40 carries profound symbolic meaning. It represents a period of transition, purification, and spiritual transformation. The 40-day period is often seen as a time for the departed's soul to complete its journey to the afterlife, seeking forgiveness, redemption, and peace.
In the hours before death, most people fade as the blood supply to their body declines further. They sleep a lot, their breathing becomes very irregular, and their skin becomes cool to the touch.
This period runs from 3 to 72 hours after death. The early post-mortem phase is most frequently estimated using the classical triad of post-mortem changes – rigor mortis, livor mortis, and algor mortis.
As people get closer to dying, they may sleep more, become drowsy or be difficult to wake. They may fall asleep while talking. A person may slowly lose consciousness in the days or hours before death. When visiting someone with advanced cancer, be aware that visiting may be tiring and difficult for the dying person.
Speak soothing words
There is no rule about how long a person can stay on life support. People getting life support may continue to use it until they either recover or their condition worsens. In some cases, it's possible to recover after days or weeks of life support, and the person can stop the treatments.
For some patients, confusion may appear only in the final hours or days of life. For others, it may begin weeks before passing and gradually increase in frequency and intensity. In many cases, confusion and hallucinations at the end of life develop as the body begins to shut down and organ systems weaken.
Many people reach up or raise their arms near the end of life—it's a common and beautiful part of the journey. Some say it's the soul beginning to lift, reaching toward something beyond.
Phrases like, “I'm always here if you need to talk” or “You're not alone in this” can provide the reassurance they need. The goal is to offer comfort and remind them that they have your unwavering support.
5 things to say to someone who is dying
“I love you.” – you can express love to offer them comfort. “Thank you for everything.” – you can acknowledge their impact on your life so they know how important they are to you. “I'm here with you.” – let them know they aren't alone and you will support them.
Change in breathing.
Changes may include Cheyne-Stokes breathing or shallow breaths with periods of no breathing for a few seconds to a minute, as well as rapid, shallow panting. These patterns are common and indicate a decrease in circulation as the body shuts down.
What other signs might there be that death is near? One is 'terminal agitation' or restlessness. This often appears as a need to get out of bed, agitated behaviour or commonly plucking of the sheets or 'knitting' of the hands. They might reach out as if towards something or somebody.
Your muscles loosen immediately after death, releasing any strain on your bowel and bladder. As a result, most people poop and pee at death. Your skin may also sag, making it easier to see your bone structure beneath.
Palliative care is care that is tailored to help with the effects of life-limiting illnesses. While patients with life-limiting illness usually have greater need of palliative care in their last 12 months of life, palliative care is not limited to a person's last 12 months.
You monitor, treat, and minimise debilitating symptoms that might otherwise cause pain and distress. Within a palliative care nurse role, common responsibilities include: Managing a patient's symptoms of pain, fatigue, weakness, emotional distress, or ageing.
While you can receive palliative care indefinitely, most patients eventually stop services for one of these reasons: Health Improvement: Your condition stabilizes or improves enough that you no longer need intensive symptom management. You can always resume palliative care if symptoms return.