Although it is impossible to totally prepare for a death, a death may be made easier if you know what to expect. This pamphlet may be helpful in preparing you as family and/or caregiver to understand the final stage of life. It is important to discuss your concerns and fears with those around you, both your family and health care providers. These people can help you make choices with or for your loved one and can inform you about other services that are available to support you.

Death is a natural process as the body begins shutting down. The following physical and emotional signs of approaching death are described to help you understand what can happen. Not all these signs and symptoms will occur with every person nor will they occur in any particular sequence.

This section is intended only as a guide. It is not intended to replace advice given by a health care professional, such as a nurse, physician, clergy, social worker, CCAC case manager or pharmacist.

HELPFUL HINTS

    PHYSICAL SIGNS OF APPROACHING DEATH

    SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SIGNS OF APPROACHING DEATH

    May this could save someone's life or quality of life:

    RECOGNIZING A STROKE:  Read and Learn!  
    Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.
    The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
     
    Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
     
    1. *Ask the individual to SMILE.
     
    2. *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
     
    3. *Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e.  It is sunny out today) If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
     
    After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.


    We did not know where we should add this, but we thought that it was very important to add, if it would save you or a loved one!

    Teresa Basinger