Actual signs of a dying person

When a loved one begins hospice care, some of most pressing questions are about the dying process. This curiosity and need to know is entirely normal. In today’s society, most of us don’t know much about stages of dying until we experience it first-hand. We encourage these questions & believe that education is the best way to prepare oneself for what the future holds. The following descriptions are broad, and it’s crucial to note that not all patients will experience them as they get explained here. Be sure to talk to the hospice care team about specific signs to watch out for as they are more familiar with the patient’s illness.

Severe illnesses take a traumatic toll on the body, and many of those symptoms may seem similar to the ones described here. For example, patients may withdraw from social situations, sleep more than usual, and their appetites will decrease. These symptoms are common with many illnesses, but they will become exacerbated between one and three months before death.

The next stage of dying occurs one-two weeks before death. During this time, patients will become restless, experience confusion or hallucination, have increased congestion, and vitals may fluctuate wildly. When these symptoms present themselves, the hospice care team will change their care plan and take over for any family caregivers when necessary.

The next stage of dying is known as actively dying. During this time, patients will suddenly feel a surge of energy that may seem like they were never sick. Some patients never feel a surge; instead, patients will present low blood pressure, a weak pulse, a decreased urine output, and glassy half-opened eyes. Whichever way patients experience actively dying, they do not experience it for very long: this stage lasts for as little as a few hours or as much as a few days.

Next is what is known as near-death, which signals that the end is very near. At this stage, patients typically have long pauses between breaths and may make gurgling sounds when they breathe due to a buildup of fluids. Near-death may only last a few minutes or a few hours. The final stage in this process is death.

Here, we encourage loved ones to spend as much time with patient as possible. As patients begin the dying process, spending time with them becomes essential, both for patient & family members that survive them. Speaking to patients as they breathe their final breaths & saying goodbye out loud is crucial for bereavement. Though the patient is the primary focal point for the care team, remember that they are available to support you and your loved ones. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and learn about available resources so that you can get through this difficult time with as much support as you can. we’re here for you anytime you need us.