It's important to tell someone that they're dying so they can prepare and do what's most important to them. If the person consents, you should tell the people who are close to them as well, such as partners, friends and family members. This can allow them to make the most of the time they have left.
When someone may be entering the last days of life, a healthcare professional should tell the patient that they're dying (unless they don't want to know).
“Avoid clichés or platitudes,” notes psychiatrist and author Dr. Marcia Sirota. “Saying things like, 'Everything happens for a reason,' and, 'It's God's will,' can make the person feel like their illness is their fault.” Remarks like “You're strong” and “You'll get through this” are equally problematic.
"I love you and I'll miss you."
It's important to leave nothing unsaid. Let your loved one know how much you appreciate, love, and care for them. It is comforting and validating for a dying person to know the impact he or she had on this life. Express your love and allow yourself to be vulnerable with your loved one.
While the dying person may be unresponsive, there is growing evidence that even in this unconscious state, people are aware of what is going on around them and can hear conversations and words spoken to them, although it may feel to them like they are in a dream state.
“Our data shows that a dying brain can respond to sound, even in an unconscious state, up to the last hours of life.” This new insight into the dying brain's response to sound can help family and friends bring comfort to a person in their final moments.
More often, however, people who are dying feel respected and supported by openness and honesty in conversations. They may talk about symptoms such as pain , shortness of breath, or nausea. They may wonder what to expect when death is near. Rather than avoiding these concerns, acknowledge that they must be worrisome.
A simple 'I love you' or 'I'm thinking of you' if you're not sure what else to say, is probably just the right touch,” stresses Ojala.
Nurses are always at forefront in hospitals for patient care, therefore they must be committed to provide truthful information to patients and support them and their families when the truth has been delivered. Telling the truth needs to be done in a timely and sensitive manner.
So why isn't it happening as often as it should? The report cites three barriers identified by doctors. Some struggle with the limitations of medicine, perceiving death as failure, while others feel ill-equipped to initiate the conversation.
Touch and hearing are the last senses to go when we die.
In the days before death, a series of physiological changes will occur. Their pulmonary system will start to degrade and the will become congested, leading to a tell-tale “death rattle.” Their breathing will also exhibit fluctuations, as they may begin to respirate up to 50 times per minute or as little as six.
“Mama” is one of the most common last words that people speak. Some people's last utterances are curse words. Others may mumble a word that holds significance to them – but it may mean nothing to their families – for their final words.
Many people lose consciousness near the end of life. But they may still have some awareness of other people in the room. They may be able to hear what's being said or feel someone holding their hand.
One of the wildest innovations is “living funerals.” You can attend a dry run of your own funeral, complete with casket, mourners, funeral procession, etc. You can witness the lavish proceedings without having an “out-of-body” experience, just an “out-of-disposable-income” experience.
“First hunger and then thirst are lost. Speech is lost next, followed by vision. The last senses to go are usually hearing and touch.”
It's uncommon, but it can be difficult to watch when it happens. Instead of peacefully floating off, the dying person may cry out and try to get out of bed. Their muscles might twitch or spasm.