Baycrest - End of Life Volunteer Manual
45
• Speak normally. You don't need to raise your voice
• Ask if they can say it a different way or give you a clue in other
ways
COMMUNICATION WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS PROBLEM
UNDERSTANDING YOU
Examples: Aphasia or cognitive impairment
General recommendations to help them understand you:
• Find out the techniques this person uses
• There may be tools such as a communication board available
• Speak naturally but pause a bit more than usual
• Use gesture when you speak
• Keep things simple
COMMUNICATING WITH SOMEONE WHO IS
NON-RESPONSIVE
Examples: Deep sleep or a coma
Towards the end of life when someone is actively dying, they will be
in a deep sleep or a coma where they cannot be roused by touching,
shaking or calling. However, often the person can hear and
understand your voice or feel your touch. This is very common as it
is a part of the natural progression of disease and dying.
Occasionally, this state can be interrupted by altered level of
consciousness marked by sudden confusion, agitation and
restlessness. Eyes may open, limbs will move, etc. It might appear
that a patient is waking up but it is actually a sign of terminal
delirium.
It is very comforting for patients in a deep sleep or a coma to have
visitors. Patients can feel comforted by the peaceful presence of
others. Volunteers must be observant of how their presence may
affect that of the patient. Look for tiny clues about how the person
is feeling such as changes in breathing pattern, tiny facial changes,
or changes in rigidity of the person's body.
