My mom is on hospice and I have accepted that she doesn't have long. Most days she doesn't eat, but some times she will. The nurse wants me to stop giving her food and water, but I don't know if I can do that. When do you know it's time to stop giving food and water?
The day of his death, my husband ate his usual breakfast (which he hadn't done for a while) and seemed to enjoy it very much. He also perked up and read the newspaper. He didn't want to eat the rest of the day. He died in the evening.
So I guess based on the advice I got and my experience with it, I would give food and liquid right up to the end, IF the person seemed to want it. I would not coax or encourage or "push" food and liquids. I would be guided by what the dying person wanted.
The nourishment changed from solids, to liquids, etc., but not withheld. She ate less and less and I did not force her to eat.
Eventually (as her body no longer required nutrients) she stopped wanting food and water. She slept more and more. Then one night; I went in to tell her goodnight, and she stopped breathing.
There are a lot of family members forcing food & drink, due to not understanding that it really doesn't help prolong life and can make dying more difficult.
See All Answers