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Care of the Dying Person
4.
Recognising when death is imminent Diagnosing that someone is dying is a process with significant implications, and one which you as a healthcare worker can contribute to as a member of the multidisciplinary team. To plan for and provide the appropriate care needed by patients/residents and their families, it is important that the diagnosis of dying is made as early as possible.Timely recognition that a person is dying also enables the goals of care to be in line with the person’s wishes and preferences outlined in their advance care plan for their end of life. Patients/residents themselves may already be aware that they are dying, often before healthcare workers. ey may have indicated a wish to talk about it. “I’m not getting any better” , “I’m coming to the end” , “I’m not going to make it” . If you are caring for a person at the end of life, it is important that you respond to these cues by facilitating an open conversation. e person may have things on their mind that they need to discuss or sort out in their remaining time. “What makes you ask that?”, “Is there something that you are worried about?”, “You are sick enough to die”. ere are many possible signals indicating that a patient or resident is approaching death and entering the final stages of the dying process. It is important that these signs are recognised by healthcare staff, and you should consult appropriate colleagues and refer to local guidance around identifying these signs, and around how you should then proceed. Care for people who are dying should be a continual process, with an emphasis placed on enabling an appropriate response to an assessment of their condition and symptoms they may have. It is important to take into account their wishes and preference, that are either expressed at the time, or as part of an advance care plan.
Care of the Dying Person 4
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