![]() ![]() Food and fluids should never be pushed, as this can increase risk for choking, pneumonia, and abdominal discomfort as the gastrointestinal system slows down along with the rest of the body’s systems. Lack of interest in food and fluids is normal and expected. The person may have little, if any, appetite or thirst and may have problems swallowing, resulting in coughing and choking with any attempt to ingest medications, food, or fluids. Hearing is one of the last senses to lapse before death. ![]() Caregivers, family, and healthcare providers should always act as if the dying person is aware of what is going on and is able to hear and understand voices. Keeping the person’s environment as calm peaceful as possible by dimming lights, softly playing the person’s favorite music, and some gentle touch and/or kind words, can be soothing as the dying person transitions. This phenomenon has been described as “detaching” as the dying person withdraws, bit by bit, from life. The person may not respond to questions or may show little interest in previously enjoyable activities or contact with family members, caregivers, or friends. Your healthcare provider can provide instruction on how to do this safely, either by timing their turning and repositioning around their current pain management schedule or by adding additional pain medication to be used as needed. If the dying person verbalizes discomfort during movement, or you observe signs of pain (such as grimacing) with movement/activity in non-verbal persons, pre-medicating with appropriate pain management will help alleviate discomfort during repositioning. While gentle turning and repositioning will help to alleviate problems such as muscle stiffness and pressure injury to the skin, as death becomes near, the need for repositioning lessens. The person may speak and move less, often sleeping for a greater portion of the day, becoming resistant to movement or activity of any kind. As death approaches, you may notice some of the changes listed below. Individual experiences are influenced by many factors, including the person’s illness(es) and medications, but there are some physical changes that are common.įor some people, the dying process may last weeks for others, it may last a few days or hours. Important note: This is a general overview of some of the symptoms dying persons may experience at the end of life.
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