

One of the challenges when someone is dying is how to inform family who may be far away.The hospice nurse puts these phenomena in the context of the dying experience and can intercede with medications or other comfort measures. Your loved one may appear to be suffering and in great discomfort. When strange and unexplained phenomena occur, it is natural to feel upset and anxious.Emotions can run high when someone you care about is dying, and those emotions are not always pleasant or easy to cope with. The hospice nurse brings a calm and compassionate presence to the dying individual and the family.And although these functions are important, the hospice nurse plays a crucial role in comforting the dying person and their family when unexplained phenomena such as a surge occur. People often view hospice nurses as the point person who arranges care and coordinates a plan with the medical director. This is often what’s referred to as hospice nurse unexplained phenomena. All of these terms describe the same experience of a period of wakefulness and clarity that can predict death. The most common and perplexing unexplained phenomena before death are a rally, surge, or terminal lucidity. Each team member reports to the hospice nurse and gives their impressions and suggestions for care. These individuals aim to relieve suffering and provide comfort and spiritual guidance. The team includes social workers, aides, a chaplain, music, art, pet therapists, and volunteers.

Even if someone can’t express that death is near, they probably know it. Hospice nurses value the dying person’s experience and listen to what they have to say.They will also talk with the family for additional details about any changes. A nurse will check oxygen levels, blood pressure, eating and drinking habits, wakefulness, and cognition. Hospice nurses assess physiological and emotional signs when they visit the patient.As someone starts to decline, the hospice nurse may come more often. Hospice nurses visit the patient and family several times a week, usually about three times a week in the beginning.What is it about hospice nurses that give them the ability to tell when death is near? A patient could exhibit signs of dying but go on living for weeks or even months. However, there are always things that hospice cannot tell you. Can a Hospice Nurse Tell When Death is Near?ĭeath and dying are a mystery, but a hospice nurse can recognize when death is near. Hospice nurses have seen hundreds of people die, and they have an idea of when death is imminent and can recognize the signs of a surge before death and other unexplained phenomena. But more importantly, the hospice nurse is the person who comforts families and patients and walks with families as they struggle to understand and accept death.

The hospice nurse guides care, requests pain medications, orders additional services and durable medical equipment, and reports to the medical director. Facing death can be a mix of fear, trauma, comfort, and anxiety about what will happen as a loved one dies. Since hospice deals with dying, it is understandable that some patients and their families are reluctant to choose hospice. Once hospice services are initiated, an interdisciplinary team of hospice professionals address the patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs while managing pain. You must have a terminal diagnosis with a life expectancy of 6 months or less verified with a doctor’s order to qualify for hospice. In some cases, there are what are collectively called “hospice nurse unexplained phenomena.” Hospice 101 Working with the dying can lead to interesting experiences.

Hospice care is a valuable but misunderstood medical and comfort care for patients and their families at the end of life.
