What to Expect When Your Loved One Is Dying
End-of-Life Signs
Each person's journey to death is unique. Some people have a very gradual decline, while others fade quickly.
As your loved one nears the end of life, your role is to be present, provide comfort, and reassure them with soothing words and actions that help maintain their comfort and dignity.
Hospice Care
When your loved one's health care team recognizes that they are likely within 6 months of dying, they may recommend switching to hospice. Hospice can offer specialized care for people with a terminal illness who are expected to die.
Your loved one will still get treatment for pain relief and comfort, but hospice also offers emotional and spiritual support for them as well as family members.
Most Common End-of-Life Signs
Some signs you may notice as someone gets closer to death include:
Changes in breathing
Being less active means you need less oxygen. You may notice your loved one's breathing becomes shallow, and more time passes between each breath.
On the other hand, if they're feeling anxious, their breath could get faster.
Sometimes, their breathing gets louder and they may make a rattling sound. This happens because their body can't reabsorb fluids in their throat or chest as well as it used to. It doesn't mean they're in discomfort or struggling to breathe. It may bother you more than it bothers them.
Not eating or drinking
Near the end of life, it's normal to experience loss of appetite and reduced thirst. People need less fuel when they're not moving around much. Your loved one might have trouble swallowing, or feel that eating and drinking just takes too much effort.
Never pressure them to eat or drink, as this could lead to gastrointestinal pain or even choking. If they want to and are able to swallow, you can offer them sips of liquid or small tastes of food. If their mouth seems dry, try:
- Giving them ice chips
- Putting on lip balm to prevent chapping
- Helping them drink with a straw or teaspoon
- Using a damp sponge to moisten their lips
Skin color changes