Overview
Knowing what to expect when active dying takes place is an important part of managing potential anxiety and concern in both the patient and their loved ones. This can be an emotionally charged time, so being able to understand what is happening can be comforting. Just as every individual's life has been unique, so will their dying experience, but it is helpful to how to respond when the time comes.
What is Active Dying?
Before one can interact with anything one must understand it. Therefore let us begin with a brief video explaining exactly what Active dying is.
What are the signs?
When a person is actively dying one can expect to see ... (According to What is Active Dying? Active Dying Definition: Crossroads (crossroadshospice.com))
Long pauses in breathing; patient’s breathing patterns may also be very irregular
Blood pressure drops significantly
Patient’s skin changes color (mottling) and their extremities may feel cold to the touch
The patient is in a coma, or semi-coma, or cannot be awoken
Urinary and bowel incontinence and/or decrease in urine; urine may also be discolored
Hallucinations, delirium, and agitation
The build-up of fluid in the lungs, which may cause unusual gurgling sounds
Physical Rigidity
A person may exhibit all or some of these symptoms. However, one of the clearest signs of active dying is when a patient verbally states that they believe they are dying.