Though this is an extremely distressing time, knowing what physical changes are likely to affect your loved one can help you to respond appropriately and take action to keep the person as comfortable as possible whether or not they eventually recover.
Dying is unpredictable. It is not always possible to know for sure that a person is in the last days of life, predict exactly when a person will die, or know exactly what changes the person you are caring for will experience when they are dying.
However, there are certain bodily changes that show a person is likely to be close to death. It is normal for these signs to come and go over a period of days, and if they do go, this does not usually mean that the person is recovering.
Some of these changes may be distressing, but it can be reassuring to know what to expect and how to help. Signs that a person may be dying can include:
One of the characteristics of COVID-19 is that a person’s condition can sometimes deteriorate very rapidly, and this will be distressing to observe. As a patient gets sicker with COVID-19, they may lose consciousness. They may experience anxiety and confusion. They may appear to be very short of breath and their lips or fingertips may turn blue because there is less oxygen in their blood. Their blood pressure will be lower and their heart rate may be higher. They may be feverish. These are all signs that the person may be approaching the end of their life.
Further information
Information about support family and friends can supply at this time is available here: supporting someone who might die at home.
Information about NHS support at home is here: what support is available at home?
Photo by Irina Iriser on Unsplash
