Ep. 476 The Dying Process: What Caregivers Need to Know with Barbara Karnes RN
End-of-Life University
The 'labor' of dying: weeks before death
Barbara describes one-to-three week labor-like signs: altered consciousness, agitation, and breathing changes.
Learn from an expert about the dynamics of the dying process and the most common concerns of caregivers as their loved one approaches death.
This week I’m welcoming once again my recurring guest Barbara Karnes RN who is a hospice nurse, author, thought leader and expert on end-of-life care and the dynamics of dying. She is the author of Gone from My Sight: The Dying Experience, also known in the hospice world as “the little blue book,” which remains the leading resource on the market today educating families on the signs of approaching death. She discusses the most common questions and concerns that arise for caregivers as their loved one goes through the final stages of life. Learn more about Barbara’s work and books at her website:
This episode includes:
- Stages of the natural dying process that are commonly observed
- Fear of death can interfere with meaning at the end of life
- How movies contribute to misunderstandings about the dying process
- The importance of education for the general public about the signs and changes of natural dying
- Gradual death has a process that begins 2-6 months before death
- The first stage of dying is marked by changes in sleep, socialization and food intake which become more significant with time
- The “labor” of dying begins 2-3 weeks before death
- Mottling of skin is a sign of the final stage along with changes in breathing
- Being at the bedside of someone who is dying forces us to be in the present moment
- Why it’s difficult to predict exactly when a person will die even though we know what signs to watch for
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Blog: How Being a Caregiver Helped Me With Grief
- NEW Gift Guides for Caregivers, People Receiving Care, and People Who are Grieving
- Get my two newest books!! Stories from the Dark Night and The Tao of Death
- Get EOLU Podcast Merch here
- Conversations on Death with ChatGPT – Audiobook here; Print Book here
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