What are the final
days and last hours of a person’s life like?
People who have experienced it
know, I guess. But those of us who have not been at a deathbed do not know what
to expect. I remember my mother telling me about my grandmother’s last days.
She was asleep in bed for a long time and it wasn’t clear if she was alive or
not. Her devoted aides would periodically place a mirror in front of her mouth
to see if there was evidence of breathing. Eventually, there was not and she
was gone.
The pamphlet that
the VNS gave us indicates the following ‘situations’:
- · No appetite
- · Urine output decreases
- · Arms, legs, face are cool
- · Person cannot be aroused
- · Breathing my be noisy
- · Breathing patterns may change and be faster or slower
- · Depth and frequency of breathing decreases more and more until the heartbeat stops
- · Eyes and mouth may be open
Family should stay calm and hold the
person’s hand. Family should also continue to speak as though the person can
hear and understand. Family should be reassuring. The dying person will feel
love, support and honor.
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