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What Happens When A Loved One Is Dying?

Jennifer Rhodes • March 3, 2022

What To Expect

A frequently asked question of our hospice team is "What should I expect when the dying process begins" It can be scary if we don't know what to expect. The truth is that each death is as unique as its life. Some die quickly, without signs or symptoms, while others may hang on for a long time. There are many signs of impending death, and a person may exhibit none, a few, or many of them. There are no set rules. Below are some signs and symptoms that you may observe. 


Change in consciousness

More tired than usual

Increased sleep

Withdrawal and/or less communication

Increased confusion

May see vision of deceased loved ones

Not as responsive -remember, loved ones can hear us even if they cannot respond

 

Significant decrease in appetite or refusal of food

This is often a difficult sign for loved ones because so many of us express our love and nurture one another with food and drink

Terminally ill people do not die because they stop eating; they stop eating because they are dying

 

Dehydration

Dry mouth and lips

Medical evidence states clearly that dehydration at the end of life aids a natural and compassionate death

Forcing fluids can actually lead to a more uncomfortable death; as the body needs less, fluids can cause choking and/or swelling in hands and legs or even in the lungs

 

Blood pressure/Pulse rate

Blood pressure often lowers

Pulse rate can increase or decrease

 

Body temperature

Fluctuates between cold and hot; but generally, the extremities are colder

Perspiration may occur

 

Skin color

Changeable over time

Mottling a decrease in circulation that looks like bruising the nail bed of the hands and feet may be bluish because of decreased circulation A pale yellow color (not jaundice) may appear 


Decrease in urine output

Little or no output Urine may be dark

Patient may lose bladder and/or bowel control

 

Eyes

May become too dry or too moist with a glassy look

May be open or partly open Eyes may appear not to focus

 

Changes in breathing patterns

Breathing may become more labored, slower, and/or very irregular

Breathing may stop for 15, 30. 45 or more seconds before beginning again

 

Restlessness

Can occur because of decreased oxygen in the blood

 

Respiratory Congestion

The sound of moist (rattle like) reparations can be very disturbing to loved ones, although it does not seem to bother patients

Repositioning and medication can help

 

The Last Hoorah

Up to twelve days or hours before death, some patients regain temporary consciousness or have a temporary burst of energy that allows them to connect with their loved ones, eat, drink and even sit up and walk around

 

Unfinished Business

Sometimes loved ones seem to hang on, when all of their signs and symptoms point to imminent death. This may be the time to:

o   Give your loved one the opportunity to make peace with their higher power with a visit from a spiritual counselor

o   Express gratitude and love

o   Ask and grant forgiveness Complete any old business

o   Give your loved one permission to go

o   Tell them you will miss them

o   Let your loved one know that you and other surviving loved ones will take care of one another and that you will be okay


The Hope Chest

2024 Handbag & Sportsman Bingo

By Nikki Wiggins • March 11, 2024
Yes, Guns are to Men, what Handbags are to Women.

Hands of Hope

By Nikki Wiggins • September 27, 2023
Que the tears! I received a grant request for this sweet baby, his mother wanted to have family portraits done, and if you know me, I absolutely love having pictures taken. So, I reached out to my favorite photographer Samantha Crawford, after sitting down and letting her know about our wish she not once hesitated to donate her time, skills, and love of photography to our patient and his family. "Love is measured not in moments of time, but in timeless moments" I saw this quote and thought how perfect it was for these photos. This family cherished each minute with each other. They smiled, laughed, and loved each other throughout this beautiful session. These are the moments that matter the most and I'm so happy that Serenity Foundation was able to team up with Sam to give this family something they will always remember. If you feel led to donate your services, time, monetary donations, or household items that could be used at the Hope Chest Thrift Shop please do not hesitate to reach out. Without you none of this is possible and we appreciate it all.

Giving & Receiving

By Nikki Wiggins • September 27, 2023
"Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have." JR God always shows up, I have learned that to be true. Walked into a place of business this morning to find a sweet elderly gentleman, sitting there and we made small talk. When I went to leave, he gifted me this small wooden cross, it's not much but the thought and the meaning of it outweighs it. It just reminds me of all the blessings that I have received from him. It made my whole day knowing he was walking right alongside me. Skip to this afternoon I received a grant for a patient who needed help with buying groceries, so off to the grocery store I go. I go to drop off the groceries to this sweet little lady and what do I receive, but the sweetest handmade angel from her. I told her this had to be a sign two things I received today that let me know our God is an awesome God. My job has given me the opportunity to see how he will always provide in some way or somehow. It may not always be in the way that we specifically prayed for or thought it should be, but it is in his way and his timing. This job is not possible without your prayers and your donations, please continue to support Serenity Foundation and The Hope Chest Thrift Shop , so that I am able to grant these wishes and needs for our hospice patients. If you have any questions or feel led to donate, contact me at 4784849137 or drop by the Hope Chest Wed through Sat.

Fidget Blankets & Memory Bears

By Nikki Wiggins • September 27, 2023
I am so excited to share this story with you all. After teaming up with Emerald City Quilt Guild, Georgia Hospice Care, and Paula Cameron. We were able to bless some of our Dementia and Alzheimer's patients with fidget blankets and memory bears. The items that were put on the blankets and the fabric itself were all pieces that had been donated to The Hope Chest Thrift Shop. The patients were so excited to have something so beautifully made and were so thankful to be receiving something so special. We got to hear all kinds of stories and meet so many smiling faces while handing out these gifts, it was so heartwarming to be a part of. I would like to share that Emerald City Quilt Guild wanted to donate in Memory of Mrs. Mary Powell. She was an important part of this remarkable group of ladies, who so willingly took the time to make such lovely blankets for our patients. Her dedication and beautiful craftsmanship will forever be in each one of those blankets, and we are just so appreciative of this amazing donation. We also want to thank Mrs. Paula Cameron, who donated her time and artistry with these amazing memory bears. The smiles and hugs our patients gave after receiving one of her bears were absolutely heartening. I cannot express the gratitude I have for everyone that played a role in this heartfelt donation. Thank you again Georgia Hospice Care, The Emerald City Quilt Guild, and Mrs. Paula Cameron for taking your time to make such beautiful items for our patients.

Handbag Bingo 2023

By Nikki Wiggins • June 28, 2023
Behind Every Successful Woman Is A Fabulous Bag!

Follow me and I will make you Fishers of Men- Matthew 4:19

By Nikki Wiggins • June 28, 2023
This wish I knew from the beginning would be exciting to watch it unfold and come together. Our patient is from the Savannah area and his last wish was to go out for the day and fish. If you know anything about me, it is that I love to go fishing, of course, I'm one of those impatient fishers, but nonetheless, I do enjoy it. So, I reached out to several people but of course, having family who lives on the Savannah River made the wish even more exciting. We got it set up for a beautiful Tuesday morning, and we got on the water and found some spots, of course, the wind played a big factor in our day, and we only caught one fish, but it just so happened the one and only fish caught was by none other than our patient. To say everyone was ecstatic would be an understatement, we were all smiling and having a good time just enjoying the sun and the warm breeze. I spoke to the patient's wife later on and she said he couldn't stop talking about the trip and how appreciative he was that we were able to grant him such a special day. I told her to make his wish just a little more special we were able to reach out to the Hank Parker, who in return was gracious enough to send a few gifts hand signed just for our patient. Both our patient and his wife were just giddy and so surprised that we were able to do all of this just for them. I have watched Serenity Foundation give life back to these patients the excitement and surprise that we share just warms my heart. This job is so rewarding and humbling, we never know what life will throw at us, so having a foundation like Serenity Foundation Gives is a great resource for our Hospice patients that may need assistance with certain bills, or who just have one last wish. With that being said we can't do this without you all, and your donations whether it be through the Hope Chest Thrift Shop or monetary donations, it's because of you and your giving heart that I am able to bless these patients and their families. I also just want to give a huge thank you to everyone that played a part in helping me make this wish something special. I will forever be grateful for your giving heart and your willingness to help whenever I call.

Fundraiser (Handbag Bingo)

By Nikki Wiggins • April 17, 2023
We are having our first Fundraiser of the year, Handbag Bingo. If you follow our Facebook page, I'm sure you have seen our posts about this event and how excited we are. We have Sponsors donating left and right and I am so grateful for their support and the donations we have received thus far. This event is not possible without the gratitude of our supporters and their willingness to give. We appreciate everyone that has their hand in this event, and I look forward to being able to grant wishes and needs for our hospice patients from the proceeds raised at this event. If you will continue to lift this event up in prayer and that everything goes as planned on that day, if you feel led to donate, please do not hesitate. We have several ways to receive donations, through the website, Venmo: @Serenityfoundation, mail in check/cash: 1111 Hillcrest Pkwy Dublin, Ga 31021. Your donations are greatly appreciated, and I know our hospice patients send their thanks as well. If you would like to attend this fundraiser, please come by The Hope Chest Thrift Shop, Gee Gee's Boutique, or go online to eventbrite.com and purchase a ticket or a table.

Operation Round Up

By Nikki Wiggins • February 10, 2023
Thanks to Washington EMC and their Operation Round Up they were able to assist in purchasing the supplies needed to build our patient's wheelchair ramp, which I posted about yesterday. I was ecstatic to be receiving this donation and expressed the appreciation we had for what Operation Roundup is all about and how it's able to help the community. So, I want to take the time and just share my appreciation with Washington EMC customers who participate in this program that make these funds available for organizations to be able to use towards someone in need. Without our donators and the donations that come in none of this is possible, so again thank you for all that you do. Also thank you Washington EMC again for choosing Serenity Foundation Gives as a candidate for funds to grant such a needed and special grant for our patient.

"Serve one another in love."- Galatians 5:13

By Nikki Wiggins • February 10, 2023
The foundation was sent a request for a wheelchair ramp a couple of weeks ago, for a patient who lived a couple of miles away from my home. So, I start calling all of my construction people to see if they could help me in getting this wheelchair ramp built for this special person. After my last grant, I realized that there are still Godly human beings on this earth that want to help in any way they can. I was given a number for Mr. Andy, who I was told specifically builds wheelchair ramps where we wouldn't pay for labor only the materials. I knew at the beginning I had to get my hands dirty and help with this ministry, and now I am so glad that I drug myself and my best friend to this sweet little lady's house Saturday. We laughed, learned some new skills, and I got to see God at work on such a beautiful day. Our patient told us she had been wanting a ramp for several years and had several people tell her they would build one but never got around to it, I'm so glad Serenity Foundation Gives was able to gift such a special need for the most precious little lady. When I tell you God works in mysterious ways after spending my day being grateful and full of joy for being able to help out with this grant personally, I go to get the mail out of the mailbox, and we had received a letter. This was not just any kind of letter; we had received a letter from our patient. She just happened to be a Jehovah's Witness and she had sent a letter not knowing us from Adam but just to witness to us about the love of God. If that doesn't shake you to the core, I don't know what would, I had never met this lady before, but I can tell you she left a forever impression on my heart. I am so appreciative of the opportunity I have been given to serve the community and God's people. I only hope that I leave the same impression on the patients and their families as they have done for me.

Give Thanks with A Grateful Heart

By Nikki Wiggins • February 10, 2023
Got to work this morning and checking my email, I received this sweet little lady's picture. This is one of the recipients of the lift chair that Serenity Foundation Gives was able to grant. She let us know she absolutely loved it and was so thankful that we were able to do this for her. Once again, my job has shown me just how a small gesture or big one can mean so much to another person. I look forward to being able to receive the grant application and have it accepted and watch it come together. These patients have so much gratitude and thankfulness for the foundation, and I know without a doubt God is in this adventure with us.
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