A person reaching the end of their life may be concerned or have conflicted feelings. Listening and being present might help you give emotional support. Your physical presence, whether sitting quietly or holding hands, maybe calming and reassuring. You can also schedule visits with the dying person to say farewell or share memories. Creating a tranquil setting with low lighting and quiet music and reducing distractions can boost mood, elicit memories and aid in relaxation.  Recognizing when death is on the horizon while it is impossible to predict when someone will die, several typical indicators may suggest the final days or hours of life. These might include:

• Enhancing sleep or spells of lethargy
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abnormal respiration or pauses in breathing
• Obesity, coolness or blue colouring in the feet or hands
• Offering solace

It’s critical to understand your actions to bring comfort in the final days and hours before dying. Here are several warning indicators of the end of life, as well as some helpful hints:

• The patient may be unable to recognize time or location and may not distinguish persons around them. What you can do to help: If you see this end-of-life indication, identify yourself by name before speaking. Speak in a natural, straightforward and sincere manner. “It’s time to take your medicine now,” for example. Explain why you’re doing anything, such as “so you don’t start hurting.”
• Sleeping may take up an increasing amount of time. The individual may become unresponsive, uncommunicative and challenging to awaken. How you may help: It is natural to sleep more regularly. You are welcome to sit quietly with them. Speak in a natural tone of voice. Take their hand in yours. Assume they can hear everything you say. They most likely can.
• They may be unable to control their bowel and urinary functions. It is a standard end-of-life change that can occur at any time during the dying process. What you can do to help: Keep your loved one’s environment clean and pleasant. Consult your hospice nurse for guidance.
• Decrease in oxygen is expected during that time you may assist them by not interfering in anything. Speak quietly and naturally. Massage their brow lightly. It will help if you read to them. Play calming music.
• There might be gurgling noises coming from inside the chest. It is also known as a “Death Rattle” at times. These might be rather noisy. This last symptom does not signal the commencement of acute pain. What you can do to help: Turn their head to the side gently to empty secretions. Wipe their lips gently with a damp towel.
• The output may diminish and turn tea-colored. Consult your hospice nurse for assistance.
• Our loved ones may desire to eat or drink little or nothing. The body will intuitively conserve energy for the next task at hand. There is no longer a requirement for food. If this is an end-of-life symptom, do not force them to eat or drink if they do not want to. It merely makes them feel more uneasy. Small ice chips or frozen juice chips may be pleasant. A cold, wet towel on their brow may be beneficial.
• Change in respiratory pattern. The individual may take short breaths followed by intervals of no breathing lasting a few seconds to a minute. They may pant rapidly and shallowly at times. These are frequent patterns that suggest a decline in circulation. What you can do to help? Elevating their head or rolling on their side may provide relief. Take their hand in yours. Speak softly.
• Temperature rises are expected. Consult your hospice nurse for assistance. A cold, damp towel on their brow may provide relief.