I have hospice, but would like to have some experienced caregivers let me know how they dealt with this? I've read that it takes a person about two weeks to die once she has stopped eating???? that seems like a very long time...and god the suffering???? How little or how much of a dose can the nurses administer to the dying person. I DON'T WANT MY MOTHER TO SUFFER ANY MORE THAN SHE HAS!!! THANKS A HEAD OF TIME FOR YOUR RESPONSES!!
Don't be shy, you can ask your Hospice team any question and they will answer or find the answer for you. Ask them about how the dosages work. It's my understanding the dosages are very mild. More is given if the pain returns, but it is only enough to make the patient comfortable.
My Mom was on Hospice for a few weeks and she had a very peaceful passing. In fact Hospice knew that within 48 hours she would go, and they were right.
It's my opinion that dying people typically don't experience discomfort from not eating/drinking. It seems a natural progression. No one experiences discomfort from not eating past a 36-72 hour period of fasting. Our bodies switch into a different metabolism mode. I don't know if that gives you some peace of mind, but that's how I relate to it.
You can give your mother ice chips in her mouth for a bit of moisture, and see how she likes that. It seems as though you understand this already, but you don't want to force food/water on her.
I wish you and mom much peace at this time.