Module 6 - Supporting the patient and family
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Supporting the patient and family
Chapter 4: The moments around death
Facilitating time with the patient
Spending time with a person before they die can be very meaningful to many people. Some family members may not wish to approach the person who is actively dying; there can be many reasons for this, but a common one is shock. Ask family members if they’d like to be present. It may help to suggest a place to sit, and invite them to talk, touch or hold hands with the dying or deceased person if they wish. You might ask:
Conversation Prompts
Is there anything important to you or your family member that we can or should be doing right now?
Being present at the death
Some people prefer not to be present at the moment of death. That’s okay. Help them find a place to sit quietly. Let them know when death has occurred.