End-of-Life University Ep. 476 The Dying Process: What Caregivers Need to Know with Barbara Karnes RN
Oct 21, 2024
Barbara Karnes RN, a renowned hospice nurse and author of the influential guide 'Gone From My Sight', shares invaluable insights about the natural dying process. She discusses common signs caregivers can observe and the gradual changes that occur months before death. Karnes emphasizes the importance of education to dispel fears and misconceptions about dying, and she highlights the healing power of presence over trying to fix things. The conversation sheds light on how to create a safe environment and encourages loved ones to express meaningful sentiments as the end approaches.
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Early Signs Of Gradual Dying
- Gradual dying often begins months before death with changes in sleep, socialization, and appetite.
- These early shifts signal the body is preparing to shut down, not choices to reverse with force.
Offer Food, Never Force
- Always offer food but never force it; respect the body's decreased need for nourishment.
- Caregivers should accept refusal as normal and avoid making feeding a battle.
The 'Labor' Of Dying
- The final phase is like labor: restlessness, altered consciousness, and changing breathing mark the body's work to leave.
- Intensity and duration vary widely between people, so timing can feel sudden.
