TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2024 - DYING - PART II

 TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2024 - DEATH AND DYING - PART II

Yesterday, I commented on my friend at the Nursing Home dying.  

Here are some resources:

Some of the earliest signs involve a sense of resignation. This may involve low mood, lack of motivation, and withdrawal. The person may spend more time reminiscing about their childhood and earlier life experiences.

Loss of appetite, general weakness, and increasing fatigue become noticeable.

https://www.healthline.com/health/elderly-end-of-life-symptom

 

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Other signs in the final days may include:

• drop in blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature

• labored breathing

• difficulty swallowing

• refusing food

• no more bowel movements or urination

• hallucinations, illusions, or delusions

Hours before the end of life

Signs that the body is actively shutting down are:

• abnormal breathing and more extended space between breaths (Cheyne-Stokes breathing)

• noisy breathing

• glassy eyes

• cold extremities

• purple, gray, pale, or blotchy skin on knees, feet, and hands

• weak pulse

• changes in consciousness, sudden outbursts, unresponsiveness

It’s thought that hearing is the last sense to fade. Even when unconscious, your loved one can probably still hear you.

At death

At the moment of death, breathing stops, and there is no pulse or measurable blood pressure. If the eyes remain open, the pupils will be dilated.

As the body's muscles relax, the bowels and bladder empty. As blood settles, the skin starts to look pale and waxy.

After death, you may still see tears falling from the eyes or small movements of the arms, legs, or voice box.

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I’m not a nurse, a nurse practitioner, or a medical doctor.  But I see some of these things happening to my friend.

Let me pray for her:

“God of the University, surround my friend Trudy with your love, comfort, grace, and peace.  Give her the “joy of a happy death,” and welcome her into your eternal realm.

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

Karen Anne White, ©, May 14, 2024