2-3 days before Death

As the end approaches in two to three days, the active stage of dying begins. Common
symptoms include unresponsiveness and a significant drop in blood pressure, indicating impending deat

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Signs & Symptoms

What You Can Do To Help

In bed, often not awake, minimal oral intake

  • Use hospice team to help provide care and assistance
  • Continue simple comfort and support

Expect feet, lower legs, hands to have darker bluish color

  • Keep patient comfortable and warm
  • This is expected at this stage of dying

Decreased response to visual stimuli

  • Will continue to have decreased response to visual stimuli
  • Maintain a calm and soothing environment

Drooping of the nasolabial fold

  • Mouth will be partially open, continue basic mouth care
  • Offer emotional support and comfort

Hypertension of the neck

  • Expect possible hypextension of the neck (tilted backward)
    Provide positioning suggestions for comfort - pillows
  • Continue opioid pain relief if discomfort is present

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NEXT 4-6 days before Death