Supporting the Patient's Family as Death Approaches
Time of Death
Coaching about Time of Death
Most families have strong feelings
about being present or being absent during the actual moment of
death.
Death vigil
Some families feel very strongly about wanting
to be at the bedside when the patient actually dies. They will
take turns or certain caregivers will exhaust themselves by
staying at the bedside day after day.
Explain to them that even if they are at the bedside,
their loved one might pass when they step away momentarily
or fall asleep for a few minutes.
Assure them that it is OK to leave the bedside to go
for a walk and that the health care team will provide excellent
care for the patient even in the absence of the family
Death in an institution
Some families will prefer to not be alone with the patient
at the actual time of death.
Others will prefer to go home and prefer to be called
immediately when the patient dies.
Some of our patient’s families have requested that
they not be called with the news of death in the middle
of the night, but to withhold the information and then
call them the following morning.
Occasionally, some families have requested that they
be informed, but to send the body directly to the mortuary.
They prefer to view the body after the mortuary has embalmed
and processed and dressed the body.
Many families have identified one or two persons who
they want called first about the news of death.
There is no “typical response to death of a loved one”.
Support all families within their premises to the extent possible.
Source: VJ Periyakoil, MD
and Betty Wexler, RN, CNS
