Your loved one may bite the spoon, clamp their teeth closed, turn their head, or spit food out to let you know they do not want to eat.Respect your loved one's wishes if they do not want to eat or drink.What is eaten should be guided by what and how much your loved one wants to eat and when they want it.Feeding a person with feeding tubes can cause harm and does not make them live longer. As their body systems slow down, the body cannot take in food in the usual way. Some may even find it makes them feel sick to their stomach. At this time, your loved one may not want food or water. Loss of appetite is a normal part of the dying process.When a person is nearing the end of their life, it is natural for them to stop eating and drinking. When a dying person stops eating and drinking, families may think their loved one is starving, dying of thirst, or giving up.A dying person's body language will let you know if these sounds are soothing.If music, chanting, or prayer is used to help the dying, make sure it is comforting and familiar.Some people feel comfortable lying in bed next to their loved one and saying parting words.Some ideas include: stories and photos, family reunions and celebrations, letter writing, creating audio or video tapes, gift giving and saying good bye. Take part in activities to create memories.Let them know they can let go and pass away by using words that give them comfort. If you can, surround your loved one with people, children, pets, music and sounds they would like.Your being with them, your words and your touch can give comfort. All of these things are important for you, your family, and your loved one. Hug, touch, show your feelings, express love and thanks. Tell your loved one anything you need or want to say.Do not say anything in front of the person that you would not say if he or she were awake. They may be too weak to respond or may not be able to speak, but they may still be able to hear and understand what you say.
Speak to your loved one like he or she can hear everything.No one knows what your loved one might hear in this state, but we believe their awareness is greater than their ability to respond.A medication may be given to dry up the secretions and lessen the sound. The nurse may also move your loved one to try and stop or make this symptom better. Deep suctioning is discouraged, but the nurse may suction the mouth.Your loved one will not be aware that this is happening. Small amounts of fluid will collect in the throat or the tongue will move back due to the relaxation of the jaw and throat muscles. These noises happen because the person swallows less.When a person is near the end of life you may hear them gurgle or make snoring-like sounds with each breath.They can make family and friends worry or feel upset however these are not signs that your loved one is uncomfortable. These changes in breathing are part of the dying process.You may see your loved one use the muscles in their neck and chest more to breathe.There may even be short periods of time when your loved will stop breathing for a few moments and the time between breaths may get longer as they come closer to death.When a person is near the end of life their breathing rate and rhythm may change.Instead the healthcare team will do a "comfort assessment", which includes looking at your loved one's level of pain, agitation or their breathing. Things like watching for heart rate and blood pressure will be stopped. This information is meant to guide you through the physical and emotional needs of a dying person and to answer questions you may have at this time.Īt this point, blood tests, X-rays, and other tests will be stopped and will only be done if the tests can help with the management of symptoms. We hope this information will help you care for your loved one through their last hours or days of life. Could we have done something differently?Įach person's dying experience is unique and no one can fully know exactly when or how it will occur.It is common to have questions about all parts of your loved one's care: People from the same family or other loved ones may cope in different ways or may not agree about the treatments being given or the goals of care. It is normal to feel many emotions when someone you love is dying. Our goal is to make sure your loved one is as comfortable as possible in their final hours.ĭying is a natural part of life, but many people do not have experience caring for their loved one in their last hours or days of life. It is our priority is to make sure that your loved one receives the highest quality of care that is consistent with their values and desires.
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