Is this end of life?

[AbbieLH]

Hello everyone, my nan is in the late stage of Alzheimer's she is currently in hospital with a chest infection and is completely bed ridden. She has also stopped eating and drinking for around 10 days (only occasionally sips water) and also has stopped taking all medication. The doctors haven't said as much but I think she is coming to the end of her life. Her feet and hands are often cold and she is sleeping most of the day and night (which is very unlike her) I think we are nearing the end now but would just like to ask if there are any other symptoms that I should be looking out for and also people's experiences of this situation. The doctors have said they are unable to treat her medically anymore and she should just be kept comfortable. Any advise would be so appreciated thank you everyone xxxx

 

[Toddleo]

Hello Abbie. What a difficult period it is when your Loved one is on end of life care.

It is so difficult to know what to expect.

My own experience is that mum took 6 weeks from first being told she was end of life and being awarded CHC funding, and her death.

Somedays she seemed more alert than others, by that I mean there was "something" in her gaze, other times she just lay blankly staring or sleeping. She sucked my fingers and grasped onto anything, much like a baby does when new born.

Like your own experience mum had very chilly feet and I bought her some lovely wooly socks. Specialists say that folk can "bounce around on the bottom line" when near the end, and often do bounce back for a while. I don't think that there is anything definitive that you should look out for.

I hope that the end is peaceful and the wait is not too long.
God bless and kind regards.

 

[Raggedrobin]

Hi Abbie
I asked the same question on here a few weeks ago. The thing about people with dementia is that they can sometimes bounce back again, so she may do so. Not eating, drinking and sleeping over an extended period are signs of end of life, though but people can survive on very little for a long time.

You could ask a doctor for an opinion on whether she is nearing the end? No harm in asking what they are thinking. The chances are though, they may not be sure either.
I do appreciate what a difficult time this can be, as one is not certain one way or the other. What does happen is that if she starts to actually pass away, there are definite signs of this and medical or care staff are often able to let you know when that process starts.