Staff at ‌‌hospice‌ ‌care‌ ‌centers in Burbank ‌Ca‌ understand the grief and toll someone goes through when there is an inkling that they could be losing a loved one. When a person at a hospice‌ ‌in‌ ‌Burbank ‌Ca‌ like Faith and Hope is in the final stages of a terminal illness, their families may start to think about the signs of active dying so they can get ready for it. Many people will take their terminally ill loved ones to a hospice‌ ‌care‌ facility in Los Angeles or Burbank during this time to improve the patient’s comfort and get further support. 

What Is Active Dying?

The final phase of the process of dying is referred to as active dying at hospice‌ ‌care‌ ‌in Burbank ‌Ca‌. This takes place after the early and middle stages of dying and indicates the end of a person’s life. 

How Long Is The Active Dying Phase? 

Professionals at hospice‌ ‌care‌ in Burbank ‌Ca‌ inform us that the pre-active stage of dying can last for three weeks, but the active stage only lasts for about three days. At this time, the patient may be unresponsive, and their blood pressure drops dramatically. 

How Can You Predict Active Dying? 

It can be quite challenging to predict active dying apart from the symptoms that many patients show during this phase. Nevertheless, it is critical to be aware that a patient might not display all of the signs of active dying. On the contrary, some patients may declare they are dying. Their position might become more fixed, and there may be other symptoms that are particular to their terminal illness. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Active Dying?

Laid out below is a list of the symptoms that a person may experience during the active dying stage. Nonetheless, it is vital to bear in mind that every person’s experience will be different and not all patients will experience all of these symptoms. This list may be used to assist caregivers to identify the signs of active dying, but it is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. 

• The patient’s blood pressure may decrease considerably.
• The patient may be in a coma or a semi-coma, and it may not be possible to wake them.
• The patient may experience hallucinations, agitation as well as delirium.
• The patient may have an accumulation of fluid in their lungs that could lead to unusual gurgling sounds.
• The patient’s breathing patterns might be irregular, and they may experience long pauses in breathing.
• The patient’s skin may change color and their extremities might feel cold to the touch.
• The patient’s urine might be discolored, or they may experience a decrease in urine or urinary and bowel incontinence.

How Can You Support Someone In The Active Dying Phase?

There are various ways that you can help someone who is in the active dying phase, even if they do not seem to be conscious of your presence. Communicating to them reassuringly and staying calm is always recommended, and you can touch the patient softly if they usually like to be touched. 

If the patient is moving about a lot, medication could ease this. Also, you have to keep in mind that patients who seem unresponsive may still be able to hear you, so it is ideal to speak respectfully and positively at all times. 

If the patient is experiencing incontinence, you can give them underbody pads or diapers. Make it a point to change their pads and diapers when they become soiled. 

When a patient’s breathing becomes erratic, try to elevate the head of the bed to put them in a more comfortable position. If you can not do that for whatever reason, use pillows to lift their heads. Some patients may have to be turned onto their side. 

When Should I Contact A Hospice? 

Scores of hospice providers say that if you are thinking about when it is a good time to call a hospice, there is a good possibility that your loved one is already eligible for this extra boost of professional support.

Even if the patient is not eligible yet, it is always a good idea to get as much information as you can and be ready when the time comes. 

In spite of this, many families wait to call hospice until the patient is obviously in their final days or weeks of life, patients can usually begin starting the care offered by a hospice a lot earlier. 

The specialized nursing care, medical equipment, and supplies related to a loved one’s terminal illness can make a significant difference to their comfort level during the final phase of their life. Additionally, it can offer precious support to families and caregivers during this challenging time. 

If you see changes in your loved one’s mental abilities, continuous weight loss more falls than usual, infections, frequent visits to the hospital or emergency room, or a downturn in your loved one’s ability to go about their daily tasks such as dressing, walking, using the bathroom or eating, it is time to contact a hospice.

To enter hospice care, a patient must be diagnosed with a terminal illness by a physician and given less than six months to live should the illness keeps on its current path. If the patient lives longer than six months, they may carry on with hospice care if a physician re-certifies that they are eligible. However, it may be discontinued at any time and resumed at a further date. 

Although it is ideal to have a good understanding of what to expect by being aware of the signs and symptoms of active dying is still difficult. As mentioned above,  there are times that a patient may not display all the signs above. In some scenarios, the patient may declare that he or she is dying. Most of the time, the patient’s position will become rigid, which means that end of life is nearby.

If you are a loved one or a caregiver of a patient, it is essential that you communicate with nurses and doctors about their condition. They can assist you in recognizing when someone is actually actively dying, and give you information on extra ways to help you and your loved one.