Baycrest

Baycrest - End of Life Volunteer Manual 39 provide comfort and support – such as extra blankets for warmth, reassurance and love. It is also important for the person to receive permission to say good- bye and die. A dying person will often hold on, even though it brings prolonged discomfort, to be sure those who are left behind will be alright. Assurance from loved ones that it is okay to let go when ready is one of the greatest gifts we can give a dying person. Allowing the person to say their goodbyes also makes the final release easier, more loving and, at times, even joyous. As death approaches, there will be some predictable changes in the person's appearance and behaviours. Although these often follow a pattern, physical decline is very individual. Signs of dying may last for hours or days. Some people may appear to be at "death's door" and then suddenly improve and become very responsive. It is very difficult to accurately predict "how much longer" a patient has. Volunteers should be very careful not to speculate or make statements like "it shouldn't be long now". HEARING The patient's senses will start to fail, with eyesight usually the first and hearing the last to go. Everyone should also be conscious of talking in front of the person as they are likely hearing what is being said. APPETITE Dying people are generally not hungry and may not eat at all during the final days. Similarly, they are not thirsty and do not drink. This will result in decreased urine output. However, there can also be incontinence or some bloating or fluid retention. DREAMING AND HALLUCINATIONS More and more time is spent sleeping. The difference between dreaming and wakefulness often blurs. The person may lose touch with reality and confuse their surroundings, the identities of family members and may have conversations (lucid or mumbling) with

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