Table of contents:
- Recognizing near-death signs
- A few months before death
- A few weeks before death
- Several days or hours before death
- What to do when a loved one shows signs of approaching death
Accepting the fact that your loved one is near death due to a certain illness or health condition is definitely not easy. In fact, by recognizing the characteristics of people who are near death, you will be able to provide the most appropriate care and assistance. The process of returning a loved one to the creator can also be smoother.
According to the guidelines held in the medical world, the following are the kinds of signs that will appear before the death of a person.
Recognizing near-death signs
Keep in mind, everyone's journey before death is different. There is a process that is very fast, others take a long time depending on the disease. The difference in age can also be a determining factor in whether the signs are noticeable enough. For example, children and adolescents tend to remain active even though their physical condition has deteriorated considerably.
However, these are generally near-death signs in people suffering from fatal diseases such as cancer, AIDS, diabetes, Alzheimer's, kidney failure and heart disease.
A few months before death
These are the times when your loved one begins to realize that death is near. So, the most visible change is his mood and behavior. Here are the characteristics.
- Withdrawing from the closest people, for example, not wanting to be visited in the hospital.
- More frequent silence (in children it may be even more talkative).
- Do not eat or drink rarely.
- Stop doing your favorite things or hobbies.
- Tiring easily and falling asleep easily.
- Bed-wetting (due to urinary incontinence).
A few weeks before death
Over time, your loved one's body will experience a decline in function. This can be seen from the following signs.
- Sleep patterns change.
- Complaining or sighing from the pain. Talk to your doctor and nurse about getting pain medication.
- Be delirious, hallucinating, or disoriented. For example, you are confused about where you are, who are the people around you, see the bright light, and claim to talk to family or friends who have died.
- Couldn't leave the bed at all.
- Cannot eat without the aid of a hose.
- The less you urinate or have a bowel movement.
- Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rhythm are weakened.
- Body temperature decreases and increases uncertainly.
- The skin, lips, and nails become paler or turn blue due to reduced blood flow.
Several days or hours before death
Usually a person who has lived several days or hours nearing death will exhibit the following characteristics.
- Suddenly restless or seem energized. For example, by talking at length or asking for a walk. However, these energy waves usually don't last long. In a few moments your loved one may become limp again.
- The heartbeat is very weak, almost undetectable.
- Body temperature drops dramatically.
- Can't eat at all.
- Not urinating or defecating at all.
- Breathing becomes very slow.
- Bluish purple patches appear all over the body.
What to do when a loved one shows signs of approaching death
If the above signs are experienced by those closest to you, try to stay calm when they are around them. Assure the patient that you are there and use a soft tone of voice.
Your doctor may have recommended a form of palliative care for those closest to you who are dying. Discuss with doctors and nurses how you can help patients get through this process as best as possible. You may also want to consider help from a religious leader or therapist to be with the patient emotionally.
