Such steps not only help ease loneliness but also can be healthy expressions of love for the person who is dying. Severe pain often makes it hard for a person to feel comfortable and at peace as he or she dies.
Cancer causes pain in many different ways, but there are ways to treat the pain. Uncontrolled pain often worsens other symptoms, such as fatigue and confusion. These symptoms make it more difficult to concentrate on time spent with family members and friends. Talk with a member of your health care team who specializes in pain control or palliative care. He or she can help find an effective pain-relief strategy.
This may require careful planning and communication with several members of the health care team. Learn more about treating pain with medication and additional ways to manage pain. The person with cancer and the caregivers must know whom to call with questions about pain and if they need urgent help. Some situations that require assistance from professionals and a health care team include:. The person has a sudden change in consciousness, becoming less responsive or confused, or has a seizure.
Find out ahead of time if the person you are caring for created an advance directive. There are 2 types of advance directives:. A health care power of attorney is a person the patient selects to make health care decisions if he or she is unable to.
This person may also be called a health care proxy, agent, or surrogate. A living will is a document that lists the type of medical treatments the patient does or does not want at the end of life.
For example, some people nearing the end of life choose to refuse artificial life support, such as mechanical respirators or a feeding tube. Or, they request a do not resuscitate DNR order. This order states that the person should not have CPR performed if his or her breathing or heartbeat stops. Caregivers and others who care about the person may not always agree with the decisions in an advance directive.
But people with an advanced illness need to know their final wishes will be respected. As a caregiver, following the advance directive is one of the most important things you can do to help the person die with dignity and peace of mind.
If the person has a DNR order, inform any emergency personnel if you need to call or another emergency line. Organizing practical matters in advance lowers some of the stress of caregiving. It also helps caregivers concentrate on spending time with the person who is dying. The following are some tips that may help you organize your time and focus your efforts:. Compile a list of important papers that may be needed and where they are. These could include bank accounts, real estate, stock holdings, and passwords to accounts and online banking.
Consider who should be present at or around the time of death. For example, decide whether a clergy member or other spiritual leader should be at the bedside to provide comfort or perform important rituals. Make a list of people to call after death occurs. And ask a friend or relative to help make those calls. Choose a funeral home and notify the facility that a death is expected in the near future.
Most hospices will call the funeral home for you. Notify hospital or hospice staff of cultural or religious customs about death so that they can accommodate them. This may include people who should be present before and after the time of death. We'll use the results of this survey to understand how our information helps people and how we can improve it. See our full privacy policy. We may also use your comments anonymously for marketing purposes.
We won't be able to respond to your comments. If you want to speak to someone or have any questions, please contact our Support Line. This information is not intended to replace any advice from health or social care professionals. We suggest that you consult with a qualified professional about your individual circumstances.
Read more about how our information is created and how it's used. Your gift could pay for one hour of vital nursing care for someone living with a terminal illness in the comfort of their own home. This gift will provide nine hours of nursing support in someone's home through the night, bringing the expert care and comfort families need. Your kind regular gift could help provide much needed support for families.
Over the course of a year your gift could provide an entire night of care in someone's home, helping them stay with their family. You gift will pay for a vital hour of nursing care from a Marie Curie Nurse for someone living with a terminal illness every month. Whatever you can give, your kind donation means people living with a terminal illness and their families can get expert care and support.
Published date: 24 September Review date: 24 September Home How we can help Information and support Living with a terminal illness What to expect On this page:. Film: What to expect at the end of life Why do changes happen at the end of life? Losing weight Feeling weak and sleeping more Feeling hot or cold Eating and drinking less Bladder and bowel problems Breathlessness Noisy breathing.
Pain Nausea and vomiting Talking less Restlessness or agitation Delirium sudden confusion Medicines Nearing the end of life Planning ahead External websites. Feeling weak and sleeping more Some people need to spend more time in a chair or in bed as everyday activities become too tiring. Eating and drinking less Wanting to eat or drink less is natural as the body uses less energy.
Bladder and bowel problems Near the end of life, some people lose control of their bladder or bowels as their muscles relax. Breathlessness Some people feel breathless or short of breath.
Pain Pain at the end of life is something that many people worry about. Nausea and vomiting The doctor or nurse will look at what is causing the person to feel sick or be sick, and what can help with this.
Talking less Many people will talk or communicate less with other people. Delirium sudden confusion Delirium is confusion that comes on suddenly, over a period of hours or days.
Nearing the end of life Everyone's experiences are different, but there are changes that sometimes happen shortly before a person dies.
NHS website — managing pain and other symptoms Dying Matters website — information about death and dying. Did you find this page useful? Your feedback will help us improve our information and support resources. What were you looking for today? Was this page useful? Select an option Yes No I'm not sure.
Please tell us why. What difference if any has this information made to you? What other information would help you? You are Select an option A health or social care professional Living with a terminal illness A friend or family member of someone with a terminal illness A friend or family member of someone who's died Other - please specify An HR professional or line manager. If other please specify optional. Which country do you live in?
Word verification. About this information This information is not intended to replace any advice from health or social care professionals.
Final moments of life. Pain management. Coping with your feelings and getting support. Breathlessness and changes in breathing patterns. Outlined below is a list of some of the symptoms that a person may experience during the active dying stage. This list may be used to help caregivers recognize the signs of active dying, but it is not a substitute for medical advice. There are many ways that you can help someone who is in the active dying phase, even if they do not seem aware of your presence.
Talking to them reassuringly and remaining calm is always advisable, and you can touch the patient gently if they normally like being touched. If the patient is restless, medication may help.
Keep in mind that patients who appear unresponsive may still be able to hear you, so it is important to speak respectfully and positively at all times. If the patient is experiencing incontinence, you may supply them with underbody pads or diapers. Be sure to change their pads or diapers when they become soiled. If that is not possible, use pillows to elevate their head. Some patients may need to be turned onto their side.
Many hospice providers say that if you are questioning whether it is time to call hospice, there is a good chance that your loved one is already eligible for this extra layer of specialized support.
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