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Palliative care - what the final days are like

End of life - final days; Hospice - final days

If a loved one is dying, you may have a lot of questions about what to expect. Every person's end of life journey is different. Some people linger, while others pass quickly. However, there are some common signs that the end is near. It can be helpful to know that these signs are a normal part of dying.

I Would Like to Learn About:

Palliative Care

Palliative care is a holistic approach to care that focuses on treating pain and symptoms and improving quality of life in people with serious illnesses.

Hospice care helps people with illnesses that cannot be cured and who are nearing death. The goal is to give comfort and peace instead of a cure. Hospice care is usually free to Medicare recipients and covered by most commercial insurance plans. Hospice care provides:

Most hospice patients are in their last 6 months of life.

The Final Days of Life

For a while, signs that death is near may come and go. Family and friends may need help understanding the signs that mean a person is close to death.

What you Might see

As a person gets closer to death, you will see signs that their body is shutting down. This may last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. Some people go through the process quietly, while others may be more agitated.

The person might:

What you can do

You can help make loved one's final days more comfortable both physically and emotionally. Your efforts will help to ease your loved one's final journey. Here are ways to help.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact a member of the hospice team if your loved one shows signs of pain or anxiety.

References

Arnold RM, Kutner JS. Palliative care. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 3.

Colvin LA, Fallon M. Pain and palliative care. In: Penman ID, Ralston SH, Strachan MWJ, Hobson RP, eds. Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 8.

Shah AC, Donovan AI, Gebauer S. Palliative medicine. In: Gropper MA, ed. Miller's Anesthesia. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 52.

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Review Date: 3/11/2024  

Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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