End Of Life Care In Linden City, California

If you have a loved one who is suffering from a terminal disease, it is understandable that you would want to do everything you can to make them as comfortable as possible throughout their last stages of life. Understanding the stages of End of Life and what the body is going through can assist families in determining the most effective strategy of care for their loved one.

Patients and their families face a tough and stressful period when they get end-of-life care. It is during this period that friends, caregivers and other family members may be quite helpful in ensuring that everyone gets through the difficult time together. Although it isn’t always clear what to say or do in this scenario, here are some suggestions for providing emotional support to a family while providing end-of-life care:

Stages Of End Of Life Care

A person’s death progresses through three distinct stages: an onset stage, a mid-stage and a terminal stage. The early stages are typically characterized by a reduction in food and drink intake that can last for several days or even weeks. Patients may experience rapid feelings of fullness, lose interest in food and occasionally choke on their own fluids. Fortunately, this is a normal part of the body’s natural shut-down process and does not cause the patient any discomfort or suffering.

This is followed by the middle stage of passing, which is characterized by a decrease in their ability to respond to their surroundings as well as changes in their physical appearance that can last for several hours or even several days. This stage is characterized by the discoloration of the patient’s hands and feet, which may feel cold to the touch, as their circulation slows down to conserve blood for their major internal organs. Over time, they may lose their ability to speak and move. The majority of the time, this occurs during the final few days of life.

Patients may experience disorientation and restlessness in the final stages of their illness, which may worsen in the final days. Their urine output may decrease and their bowel movements may become infrequent or non-existent altogether. Their breathing will become more irregular and shallower, with long pauses that will become longer in duration as time goes on. It’s possible that they’ll hear a rattling sound in their throat as their lungs begin to lose their ability to expel fluid.

Assisting Someone In The Stages Of Dying

While you may feel helpless in the face of death, there are a number of things you can do to make your loved one more comfortable as their body goes through the natural and inevitable process of passing away.

Help Them Stay Hydrated

First and foremost, you can assist them in maintaining their hydration even as their appetite for food diminishes. Offer them sips of fluid, chips of ice and small pieces of food but do not press them to accept anything. Swabs can also be used to keep their mouths moist while they are eating.

Assist Them In Eating

Remember to assist patients with the eating process when they express an interest in doing so. Also, respect their wishes when they indicate that they have had enough to eat. Offer small bites of foods they enjoy and take your time with them.

Talk With Them Softly

Even if your loved one appears to be unresponsive, it is important to assume that they are aware of everything that is going on in their environment. Softly converse with them, addressing them by their first and last names. You may gently touch them but only if they are used to being touched in the first place. Make sure to speak in a reassuring manner and maintain your cool.

Keep Them Physically Comfortable

It is critical at this point to ensure that the patient is physically comfortable. As their circulation changes, they may require additional blankets or sheets or they may request that they be removed. Make every effort to ensure that they are not too hot or too cold. It is important to remember, however, that electric blankets and heating pads are not recommended because the patient will not be able to tell when they are becoming too warm.

As the patient’s bowel movements become less regular, provide them with underbody pads or diapers as needed. It is critical to check their pads or diapers on a regular basis and to change them when necessary. In addition, they may require or even request the use of a Foley catheter.

If the patient is agitated or restless, medication may be prescribed to calm them. It’s also possible to assist them in finding a more comfortable position by elevating the head of their bed or by using pillows to prop their head up. Some patients may prefer to be turned onto their side rather than the other way around. Oxygen, on the other hand, is not typically beneficial during the final stages.

Help Them With Mental Stimulation

Talking with your patient about topics they enjoy and bringing up pleasant memories can help to stimulate their minds and keep them engaged during the conversation. If you have a question that requires an answer, refrain from asking it because it may cause frustration. You might also think about praying together as a group.

How To Provide Support During End Of Life Care

Physical touch can be extremely therapeutic, especially for those who may be feeling isolated as a result of their illness. When you hold a loved one’s hand or even just touch their arm or shoulder, you can help them feel connected, cared for and appreciated. You can also give your loved one a gentle massage, which can help them relax and may even relieve some of the pain or aching joints that they have experienced from spending so much time in bed.

Listen And Be Present

When it comes to offering support, you don’t always have to say much. Listen to your loved one express their feelings, concerns and whatever else they’d like to talk about in order to help them feel heard and validated in what they’re going through and to help them feel understood. Listening can also assist them in maintaining the illusion that nothing has changed. After all, you are still just two friends having a good time together, which can be comforting in a world where everything seems to be changing at breakneck speed. The simple act of simply being present, without saying anything and keeping your loved one company can be beneficial. They may find it comforting to know that someone is nearby, even if they don’t feel like talking for the rest of the day.

Music Therapy

In the meantime, while professional music therapists develop care plans involving music to support mental health, you can simplify their techniques in order to provide your loved one with a small amount of music therapy. It has been demonstrated that listening to one’s favorite music can brighten one’s mood and even jog one’s fading memories. Spending some time thinking and talking about favorite memories that correspond to songs they used to enjoy may be something your loved one will look forward to. Alternatively, music can be a pleasant way to fill silence if your loved one isn’t in the mood to converse that day or it can be a pleasant way to pass the time if they are unable to leave the house for any reason.

Share Memories For End Of Life Care

People who are nearing the end of their lives frequently feel compelled to share their stories about their experiences with others. This can sometimes provide them with the assurance that they made a difference during their lifetime or that they accomplished great things during their lifetime. While sharing memories with your loved one is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon alone, it also demonstrates to them that you value their presence in your life and that you are grateful for the time you have spent together in the past. Making an album of your loved one’s life, re-watching old home videos and asking them questions about different stages of their life to prompt conversation are all good ideas for starting the conversation.

Read A Book Aloud

Reading aloud from books isn’t just for bedtime stories anymore. For those who are unable to leave their homes, books can be a welcome diversion from their surroundings. Books can also be a great way to pass the time if you want to pay a visit to a loved one but aren’t sure what to say or do when you get there. Inquire about their favorite books from when they were children and bring a few of your own classics to share. After that, discuss what you’ve read so far as a group. When you and your partner spend time together reading aloud from books, you can create a special tradition that will be remembered forever

Bring A Pet

Everyday, your pet brings you great joy. Share that joy with a loved one by bringing a well-behaved pet to pay them a visit at their residence. There has been evidence that therapy pets can help to reduce pain and blood pressure while also increasing endorphins and happy feelings. Furthermore, research has discovered that petting a dog, a cat or any other furry friend immediately triggers a relaxation response, which can help to relieve anxiety and even pain.

Help Out With Chores

Even members of the family who are not sick require a great deal of emotional support. They’re frequently exhausted from the demands of caring for their loved one on a daily basis, including administering medications and scheduling appointments, as well as otherwise ensuring the patient’s comfort. It is possible to make a significant difference in their day by assisting them with small tasks such as doing the dishes, walking the dog after school or doing lawn work. These small tasks can make a significant difference in their day and provide them with valuable rest time.

Talk To Hospice About Stages Of Dying

Hospice can often assist patients much earlier in the process than most families are aware of or expect. Not only can these services assist in meeting the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of a patient but they can also provide any medical equipment that may be required by the patient. Furthermore, the guidance and support that they can provide to caregivers can be extremely beneficial to both parties.

Hospice care experts at Melodia Care Hospice can help make your loved one’s final days more comfortable by providing an additional layer of support.

You can reach us at any time of day or night by contacting us through our 24/7 online customer support chat or by calling 1-888 635-6347 (MELODI-7).