How to Know That Death is Close and What Happens After
The hospice team members are experts at managing all elements of the dying process. The hope is that you’ve gotten to know your team by this point, and they do not feel like strangers. When you or your loved one is close to the end of life, there are predictable symptoms and bodily changes that will occur that our team carefully identifies. It is helpful to know what to expect and to understand what you are seeing. Having this information not only minimizes the fear of what is happening but also enables our nurses to inform you and help you to recognize signs of suffering.
Generally speaking, a person who is dying will have diminishing awareness of what is going on around them (always assume, however, that the dying person can hear), may exhibit non-verbal signs of pain/discomfort, will have changed in the rate and pace of breathing, and will be unable to eat and drink. There are other signs and changes that happen that you should ask your hospice nurse about.
During the phase of actively dying, medication doses, frequency, and route of administration will be constantly monitored and adjusted as needed. When you are on home hospice, it is the responsibility of the family/caregivers of the patient to provide around-the-clock physical care and administration of medications. Support and advice from the hospice team are available 24/7 and staff will come out for support as appropriate, but the brunt of the care remains with the family.
Many families view this as a privileged and sacred time, but it is hard work, and it is not for everyone. There are other levels of hospice that can be considered if needed.
Once death has occurred at home, call hospice. More than likely, burial, cremation, and/or funeral planning has been completed. The hospice will contact the funeral home. You may keep your loved one at home until you are ready for the body to be taken away. If you have made special arrangements for research on your body, inform your hospice team as soon as these wishes/plans are known.
Your hospice social worker and/or bereavement counselor will be available. Grief and bereavement support will be provided by hospice for at least a year after the death. Different hospices offer different levels of bereavement support, but they can always be a resource for additional or different services.
It is my hope that this blog helped explain some of the logistics and details of what home hospice looks like. Dying is part of living and hospice is focused on living while dying. Hospice supports you and/or your loved one to ensure comfort and peace.