“What are some basic guidelines I should keep in mind during end of life care?”
My grandmother is critically ill. A couple of day ago, she has given up eating or taking her medications. However, she still seems aware. What are some basic guidelines I should keep in mind at this point as I continue to give end of life care to grandmother?
3 Answers
This deserves a long discussion. Please talk to a palliative care specialist near you.
Important to know that she is comfortable, I believe she's a very good candidate for hospice care. You might want to look into that which will make her life a lot more comfortable and easier for you as well.
Hello,
First of all, let me tell you that you are experiencing one of the most difficult times of your life, by helping someone else, especially a family member, through the end of their lives. If your grandmother has stopped eating and taking her medications and she is truly at the end of life, that means her body is shutting down. If she is truly at the end of her life, there is no reason for her to be taking any of her medications such as blood pressure pills, heart attack pills, blood clot pills, diabetic pills, etc. What she needs from you at this time of her life is to know that you love her and that you will care for her and be there with her until the end. You may not be able to get her to even drink water. That is normal. You may try, but she might refuse. If she has a living will that has directed you as what you should be doing at the end of her life you need to follow that. This can also be called an advance directive. You could call hospice in, and they can help make sure that she’s comfortable. She may need some mild sedative or tranquilizers or even pain medications depending on what her problem might be.
The biggest thing I can tell you is to let her go peacefully, without pain, and knowing that you are there with her.
First of all, let me tell you that you are experiencing one of the most difficult times of your life, by helping someone else, especially a family member, through the end of their lives. If your grandmother has stopped eating and taking her medications and she is truly at the end of life, that means her body is shutting down. If she is truly at the end of her life, there is no reason for her to be taking any of her medications such as blood pressure pills, heart attack pills, blood clot pills, diabetic pills, etc. What she needs from you at this time of her life is to know that you love her and that you will care for her and be there with her until the end. You may not be able to get her to even drink water. That is normal. You may try, but she might refuse. If she has a living will that has directed you as what you should be doing at the end of her life you need to follow that. This can also be called an advance directive. You could call hospice in, and they can help make sure that she’s comfortable. She may need some mild sedative or tranquilizers or even pain medications depending on what her problem might be.
The biggest thing I can tell you is to let her go peacefully, without pain, and knowing that you are there with her.
