Baycrest - End of Life Volunteer Manual
37
DIARRHEA
• Diarrhea is potentially very embarrassing for someone who is
dying. Foul odours or accidental soiling can cause the person
great distress. Diarrhea can come on very suddenly, so you may
need to respond quickly and call a nurse. Again, encourage the
person to drink fluids if tolerable and the patient can safely
swallow according to the nurses instructions.
CONSTIPATION
Constipation is a medical condition that the health care
professionals on the team will monitor and treat. Volunteers can
help by encouraging the patient to:
• Go for short walks, if possible
• Encouraging the person to drink fluids if tolerable and the
patient can safely swallow according to the nurses instructions.
• Follow the nurse's or dietitian's dietary recommendations
(e.g. eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables).
HEADACHES
The health care professionals on the team will monitor and treat
any headaches. Volunteers can help by:
• Encouraging the person to practice relaxation techniques
• Keeping noise and distractions to a minimum.
SKIN AND MOUTH CARE
Staff will monitor and treat any skin breakdown or mouth sores.
Volunteers can support patients by:
• Encouraging the person to use lip balm or whatever has been
prescribed for dry or cracked lips
• Encouraging the person to use the relief measures for sore
mouth that the nurse or doctor has suggested, such as sucking
on ice chips or popsicles and drinking lots of fluids
• Being aware of the risk of choking – difficulty swallowing can
turn into a swallowing dysfunction that can cause the person to
choke. If that is the case, the volunteer should NOT offer
drinks
