Watching for Signs at End-of-Life

One issue that many caregivers fear is how to handle the last days, hours, and moments of life. They worry they may not recognize the signs and then not call for help until it's too late or that they may call the palliative care team needlessly, earlier than necessary. 

When the time comes 

Unfortunately, you can't generalize and say how someone is going to be when they have reach the end-of-life stage. Some people pass away peacefully in their sleep, while others seem to hang on for longer than anyone could imagine is possible. 

There are some signs you can watch for and if you feel that the death may be coming at any time, don't hesitate to call for help: 

Burst of energy 

Some people seem to perk up just before they die. They may want to get out of bed to sit by the window, call an old friend or a family member, become more animated, or they may do something unusual, like as for a favorite food - and eat it. 

Difficulty breathing 

Breathing can become harder to do and respirations can be noisier. As the fluid builds up in the lungs, the lung linings can't do their job of allowing the oxygen into the blood. 

Confusion 

Terminal confusion or agitation can be a distressing sign for caregivers. At this point, people with terminal agitation may begin picking at the bedclothes, trying to get out of bed, even become argumentative. They may tell you Sometimes, someone in palliative care can tell when they are about to pass away. They will say good-bye to you in a different way from the other times or they may want to call someone to say good-bye.