Dying, death and hospice

Quality care at the end of life addresses a person’s physical comfort, daily care, and emotional and
spiritual needs. If you’re caring for a family member or friend who’s approaching the end of life,
learn what to expect and how you can support end-of-life care.
Hospice care is a service for a person who has discontinued disease-fighting treatments and is
preparing to die. Hospice care services provide a means to monitor end-of-life care needs, coordinate
professional and family caregiving, and address the entire spectrum of needs at the end of life. This
care can be provided in the home, assisted-living residences, nursing homes, hospitals and
hospice-care facilities.Hospice care depend on a team of people with different specialties, including:
Doctors, Nurses, Home health aides, Social workers or counselors, Clergy or other spiritual advisors etc.

People who know they are near the end of life may reflect on their beliefs, values, faith or the
meaning of life. They may have questions about how they will be remembered, or they may think
about the need to forgive or be forgiven by another. Others may feel conflicted about their faith or
religion.
You might listen and ask open-ended questions if the dying person wants to talk about spiritual
concerns. You can read together, play music or share in a religious tradition the person values. A person who is dying may find solace in hearing why you value your relationship and how you will
remember him or her.

A person nearing the end of life may be distressed or experience conflicting emotions. You can
provide emotional support by listening and being present. Your physical presence — sitting quietly
or holding hands — can be soothing and reassuring.

You can also arrange visits with people the dying person wants to see for saying goodbyes or sharing
memories. Or you can arrange calls with or share messages from those who can’t visit.
Creating a calm environment with low lighting and quiet music — and removing distractions — can
improve mood, evoke memories and help the person relax.

Recognizing when death is near
While it’s difficult to know when someone is going to die, there are common signs that may indicate
the last days or hours of life. These may include:
Restlessness, confusion or agitation
Increased sleep or periods of drowsiness
Loss of appetite
Irregular breathing or pauses in breathing
Swelling, coldness or blue coloring in the hands or feet
Reports of seeing someone who has already died
Gurgling or crackling sounds with breathing

Q&A

1. Quality care at the end of life addresses a person’s ______
2. What is hospice care?
3. In what setting may hospice care be provided?
4. Hospice care depends on a team of professionals with different specialities. True or False
5. List three signs that indicate a client is near death
6. Loss of appetite and irregular breathing are not signs of an individual who is near death. True
   or False
7. During a client’s last days, it is important to provide a means of comfort. List one way in
   which may be achieved.
8. In this context, confliction with regard to faith is an indication of
   a. Near death
   b. Mere religious angst
9. A person who is dying may find solace in hearing why you value your relationship and how
   you will remember him or her. True or False
10. Hospice care depends on a team of people with different specialities, including________ (list
    three)