There’s no one way to know for sure when your elderly family member is at the very end of her life. But there are signs that you can watch for that can help you to notice when that time is coming closer.
Marked Decline with Health Conditions
You might expect that your senior’s existing health issues might worsen as she nears the end of her life. In some cases, you might see a serious decline in her health. That can even happen with medical interventions in place that have helped in the past.
Recurring Infections of Some Sort
Because your senior’s body is breaking down, she may also start to have trouble with infections that just don’t seem to go away. These might be urinary tract infections that seem to be more stubborn than usual or other types of infections, such as lung infections or even slower healing wounds. This can be frustrating and draining for your elderly family member and for you.
Refusing Food and Drink
Your senior’s appetite may also change dramatically, seemingly from one day to the next. She may start to refuse meals, snacks, and even water. She may tell you that she isn’t hungry or thirsty and this can even be true. Again, as her body starts to shut down, it’s not giving her the same cues to take in calories or even water.
Decreased Time Awake
She may start to sleep more and more, as well. It may be more difficult for your senior to be awake at all. It can take a lot of energy for her to be awake, and even a few minutes of conversation can wear her out and cause her to need to rest again.
Increased Pain, Discomfort, or Restlessness
Whether she’s asleep or awake, you may see even more signs that your elderly family member is in more pain, is more uncomfortable, and is more restless than she has been to this point. This can be frustrating because it can be so difficult to know how to help her to feel better. End-of-life care providers can help you to find solutions that work for her.
All of these signs can be tough for you and other family members to manage on your own. End-of-life care providers can assist you in finding solutions and therapies that help your senior to be comfortable while also getting the help that you need.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering hospice care, please contact the knowledgeable staff at Arcy Hospice today. 469-293-1515
My name is Jimmie Stapleton. I am the founder and CEO of Arcy Healthcare. Arcy Healthcare includes Arcy Hospice, Arcy Supportive Care, MaximaCare Home Health and Arcy at Home.
Arcy Hospice was opened in 2007 to provide care and support for individuals and families facing a life limiting illness. It was established after my wife Ellen, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, had completed her chemo and radiation therapies. At that time, things were looking positive, and we wanted to do something for our community that had been so supportive of our family during her treatments. Unfortunately, the cancer returned a few years later, and she subsequently passed away under our care in 2010.
In the years that followed, I began to see the need to provide the same level of excellent care to patients across the continuum of care. Therefore, we have added a home health division (MaximaCare Home Health), a palliative care division (Arcy Supportive Care), and a home care division, (Arcy at Home). With the addition of these divisions, we can meet most of the post-acute care needs for you and your family in your home.
I started Arcy Hospice with my wife as my motivation to provide exceptional care and support in the patient’s home, where they are surrounded by family and where they feel most comfortable. I’m proud to say that our staff provides some of the best in home care in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.
Please let us know if we can enrich the quality of life for you or a loved one.
Sincerely,
Jimmie Stapleton – Founder and CEO
Arcy Healthcare
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