Generally speaking, people who are dying need care in four areas: physical comfort, mental and emotional needs, spiritual needs, and practical tasks. Of course, the family of the dying person needs support as well, with practical tasks and emotional distress.
So what do dying people want? In short: truth, touch and time. They want others — family, friends and physicians — to be truthful with them in all respects, whether discussing the disease process, treatment options or personal relationships. They want truth but not at the expense of reassurance and hope.
Common themes of last wishes were Travel, Activities, Regaining health, Quality of life, Being with family and friends, Dying comfortably, Turn back time, and Taking care of final matters.
Many people are surprised to find that a dying person wants to talk about what's happening to them. In fact, many dying people are thinking the same thing: that talking about what's happening to them will only upset a friend or loved one. Talking about death allows a loved one to express unspoken fears and concerns.
Be present. Visit with the person. Talk or read to them, even if they can't talk back. If they can talk, listen attentively to what they have to say without worrying about what you will say next. Your presence can be the greatest gift you can give to a dying person.
Use gentle touch. Whenever you need to move or turn your loved one speak softly to her first to tell her what is going to happen, then touch her arm or hand gently to prepare her for the motion. You can hold your loved one's hand or offer very gentle massage as long as that seems to be soothing to her.
Just as a woman in labor knows a baby is coming, a dying person may instinctively know death is near. Even if your loved one doesn't discuss their death, they most likely know it is coming. In some cases, the person comes from a culture or a family in which death is simply not discussed.
The intense pain that some experience while dying is frightening and heart-breaking to witness. There is also concern that the dying loved one is too fragile to touch or that touching will make the pain worse. Of course, not everyone is comfortable with touch.
It says “Please forgive me,” “I forgive you,” “Thank you,” and “I love you” It's the four things you're supposed to express at the end of your life to find peace of mind before you die.
Research shows that people who are close to death prioritize the following needs, according to Dr. B.J. Miller, who gave a renowned TED Talk on what really matters at the end of life: Comfort. Feeling unburdened.
Palliative care is available when you first learn you have a life-limiting (terminal) illness. You might be able to receive palliative care while you are still receiving other therapies to treat your condition. End of life care is a form of palliative care you receive when you're close to the end of life.
What is an end-of-life rally? When a patient who has been steadily declining has a sudden burst of energy, this is called an end-of-life rally or terminal lucidity. They may begin speaking or even eating and drinking again.
The first organ system to “close down” is the digestive system. Digestion is a lot of work! In the last few weeks, there is really no need to process food to build new cells.
Feeling very sad and crying often is a very normal part of the dying process.
Death just became even more scary: scientists say people are aware they're dead because their consciousness continues to work after the body has stopped showing signs of life. That means that, theoretically, someone may even hear their own death being announced by medics.
Your loved one may sleep more and might be more difficult to awaken. Hearing and vision may decrease. There may be a gradual decrease in the need for food and drink. Your loved one will say he or she doesn't have an appetite or isn't hungry.
Hospice has a program that says that no one should have to die alone, and yet this hospice nurse is telling me to take a break? Some patients want to die when no one else is there. Hospice professionals know that companionship while dying is a personal preference.
Seriously ill patients encountered by hospice and palliative care clinicians are at risk for thirst due to dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, hypotension, xerostomia, and immobility which can impede access to water.
The most commonly prescribed drugs include acetaminophen, haloperidol, lorazepam, morphine, and prochlorperazine, and atropine typically found in an emergency kit when a patient is admitted into a hospice facility.