Doctors, nurses and other carers can play an important role during the final days of life, but their advice and treatments will not be geared toward extending life. But they can give relief to whatever discomfort a dying person is experiencing.
Examples of these are:
- adjusting the temperature of the room to the person’s needs
- control any smells that the person may sense
- make the bed as comfortable as possible
- provide mouth care
- find best way to give medicines
- decrease discomfort from fevers
- look for signs of bedsores particularly in places where bones are prominent, such as buttocks, heels, hips and elbows
- serve what or she wants to eat
This act of taking care of the residents who are dying is a very great help for the family members as well. For they see their love ones dying with less pain due to the physical problems.
There will come a time in the course of many diseases when further medical help are no longer applicable in improving the person’s condition. At this point, you may need to discuss to the older person and the family whether they want or not further medical treatment like resuscitation. If the decision is ‘NO’, make sure that everyone who is helping care for the person knows that no more emergency treatments needed. When the person is obviously nearing the end of life, calling "911" will likely result in further discomfort to the dying.
by: lencilicious (also known as real lady)
Photo Courtesy of Roger Rössing and Renate Rössing
Every person deserves to die with dignity so we have to respect their person and at least minimize their sufferings by providing them some extraordinary care and comforts.
ReplyDeleteI once witnessed a dying person (maternal grandma), it was hard watching her. Family support is very important on this moment.
ReplyDeletethis is a very good advice and tips to everybody who's experiencing it already or in the near future! I have my old father in law already and we always make sure that he feels we love him no m atter what!
ReplyDeleteTalks and preparation about dying are slowly becoming acceptable in the Filipino culture when before it was almost taboo.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to see a family with such condition, breaks my heart. I remember my lola when she was dying, at our home, and I really can't bear seeing her. I don't even know what to do, I was helpless.
ReplyDeleteWhew, thinking about this makes me sad, but I know these are things I need to know I might use someday :(
ReplyDeletePerfect last deeds for a dying patient.. But , did you know I once was assigned to minister to dying brethren. The feeling was just so kakalungkot.
ReplyDeleteTo see a dying person is so painful.
ReplyDelete