Los Angeles Palliative Care

May Notice Towards End-of-Lif

It can be difficult to learn and accept that a dear family member or friend is at the end of their life. Palliative care professionals know common end-of-life signs and can help the patient’s family prepare for what comes next. They can make the hospice patient’s last days as comfortable and pain-free as possible and support their family members with resources and advice per their needs. In this article, we have listed a few ways you can tell a person is nearing the end of their life and how family members can offer them comfort at each stage.

Physical Changes and Signs Towards End-of-Life

Pain

Pain is often a symptom of cancer at the last stage; however, this case isn’t valid for every terminal illness. There are many terminal illnesses where the patient passes away peacefully. Nevertheless, if your loved one is experiencing discomfort or pain at the end-of-life stage, there are many medicines that can be used to manage their pain effectively.

Shortness of Breath

Many people experience shortness of breath or breathlessness in the last stages of their life. There are quick relief therapies, deep-breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques that can help a patient feel more comfortable while breathing.

Decreased Appetite

As a patient’s body begins to shut down naturally, the body does not need the calories, and nutrition food provides. It is normal for a person to not feel hungry or thirsty as much as they did before.

Incontinence

Urinary and bowel incontinence are common signs that your loved one is near the end of life. The patient may be unable to control urine and bowel movements and feel too weak to use the bathroom.