Irish Hospice Foundation
Toolkit for Compassionate End-of-Life Care
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• Use the person’s mobile phone to keep the connection with the people they love. ink about how you will access their phone (if they are unable) and pass messages on. Make sure a charger is available at all times. • Encourage and help with the use of Skype, FaceTime or other video calling options to support a connection with others. • Ask the person if you can help them make a voice recording or a video or take a photo. • If the person is unconscious, talk to the person or read messages from their friends and relatives. If you can, set up the phone beside the person’s ear and enable people to speak to their loved one. • Ask them if there is anything they would like you to do on their behalf: read a prayer, play a song, say a poem, pass on a message, set up the phone near the patient’s ear.
• Always assume the person can hear you. • Reassure them that you are there with them, even if they are unconscious.
At the time of death, pausing together for a moment in silence at the bedside is a simple but poignant way to honour the person. is would be particularly symbolic where loved ones were not permitted to be there or could not be there in the case of sudden death. It also helps staff to honour the person’s death.
What to do if the person dies without their relatives and friends present
e details of the person’s death are so important for others. Be prepared to tell the story.
How did you care for them after they died?
What was it like?
Who was present?
How was the death acknowledged? (e.g., moment’s silence, end- of-life symbol) How long did they stay on the ward for?
What were their last words?
Did you read to them/ pray with them?
Were they comfortable?
What happened next?
Did they open their eyes?
At a later date, you might like to send them a sympathy card.
Care of the Dying Person 4
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