Recognizing the Signs of End-of-Life and What You Can Do For a Loved One

It can be difficult to understand what your loved one is going through as they are dying. Family members and friends often find it hard to understand what to do and how to help the dying person. However, these signs that tell you death is approaching are important to understand. 

They can help you help your loved one transit peacefully. There are usually two general stages to the process of drying. There is pre-active dying, which can last 2-3 weeks, and active dying, which can last for 2-3 days. 

The Signs and Symptoms of Pre-Active Dying Include:

• They see people who have died already.
• The person is telling you they are dying as they often know death is approaching and accept it before loved ones do.
• They begin to have longer pauses between breaths.
• Decreased appetite for food and drinks as eating becomes immaterial.
• They request visits from family or friends to say goodbye or complete unfinished business.
• Increase in need for sleep and rest.
• Physical healing processes stop.

 
In the weeks leading up to death, people will often experience an increase in well-being. This can often mimic a miraculous recovery. This will often happen to people who are battling cancer and it allows them to properly prepare for death on their own terms.

The Symptoms of Active Dying as the End-of-Life Process is More Eminent Are:

• Hands and feet become cooler.
• Irregular breath with long pauses.
• Skin changes and colors become mottled 
• Blood pressure drops.
• Gurgling sounds caused by fluid buildup in the lungs. 
• Agitation.
• Cannot be woken from a coma.

 
Experiencing a feeling of helplessness can be extremely common when you’re gathered around someone you love as they are dying. Though, there are many things a patient in hospice care can do. It is important to accept the situation and realize that this is an important time in life. 

In addition, it is also valuable for a patient to share their love and share it freely. The love that families feel will significantly ease any of their pain – forgive them for any wrongs and accept their forgiveness. 

If your loved one has dying requests, make sure that you fulfill them to assure that their requests are honored. 

Sometimes, when your loved one is nearing the end of their life, it isn’t uncommon for those around them to be confused and overwhelmed. However, it is important to make your loved one’s transition go as smoothly as possible.

Additional Reading Resources on Hospice and Palliative Care:

• Highlighting the Four Levels of Hospice Care
• The Characteristics that Differentiate Hospice and Palliative Care