What physical signs will indicate that my loved one is dying?

What physical signs will indicate that my loved one is dying?

David Kessler (Director of Palliative Care, Citrus Valley Health Partners and Hospice) gives expert video advice on: What physical signs will indicate that my loved one is dying?; How will hospice make my loved one more comfortable before death?; How do I explain death to my children? and more...

As your loved one becomes closer to death you are going to see a number of changes, some of them early on. You are going to see a withdrawal. You're going to feel like your loved one is sleeping more. We understand this is going to be a very disturbing thing for you to watch; to see your loved one begin to slip away. But, just know, it's natural for them to sleep more, to talk a little less; those are some of the early signs that are going to happen as they progress towards death. As things progress, your loved one will stop eating or their eating will decrease. This is very disturbing for families. I think one of the most asked questions of hospice providers of how can we get my loved one to eat. I think one of the realities that you have to come to is that your loved one is not dying because they're not eating, your loved one is not eating because they're now dying.