What if im dying

The first is a durable power of attorney for health care, in which you will name someone a proxy who can make medical decisions for you should you become unable to do so. The second part is a living will, in which you can spell out the treatments you want or don't want at the end of your life.

These documents, which both you and your healthcare provider must sign, specify that you do not want a full resuscitation effort if the time comes. Finally, consider donating some or all of your organs or tissue, if possible, in order to give others the gift of life.

You can include your instructions in the advance healthcare directive. Attitudes toward funeral and memorial services and various forms of bodily disposition have changed dramatically in the past 20 years and the types of services available have increased significantly.

If you haven't already done so, as many people now do, then you should preplan your funeral or memorial service to ensure your wishes are met and make things slightly easier on your loved ones. If you find this task too difficult to face, you should at least try to speak to someone in your family to let them know what form of final disposition you would like burial, cremation , entombment, etc.

In the film Grumpy Old Men , Jack Lemmon's character remarks that another character was "lucky" because he died instantly in a head-on collision with a freight truck.

Perhaps, but the sudden death of a loved one often compounds the grief felt by survivors as they recall things they wish they'd said but will never be able to now. In the days and weeks ahead, make a point of telling your friends and family members the things you'd like them to know —that you're proud of them or that you love them—and don't be surprised when they respond in kind.

Throughout our lives, we are often told to "seize the day" or "make every day count. Yet, given the pace of life as we hurry from one thing to another, too few of us understand that the most profound and memorable moments of our lives don't just happen on exotic vacations or big events but all around us, every day, whether we see them or not. In the weeks or months ahead, if you find yourself overwhelmed with some of the preceding tasks listed here, or by the other items on your list, tell yourself it's okay to just stop and take time for yourself.

Watch the sunset. Hold your spouse's hand or that of your child. Listen to the birds sing. Do whatever you need to do to find a simple moment of joy. You might not have the gift of time, but you certainly can make the most of the time that you have. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

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I Accept Show Purposes. Empower Yourself Through Knowledge. Common Symptoms at the End of Life. Forgive Yourself in Advance There is no correct way to deal with a terminal illness, and you will experience a tremendous range of emotions in the weeks or months ahead, from anger and resentment to fear and depression.

Set Your Priorities You know yourself best, and only you can determine the things most important to you in the time you have left. They are likely to spend more time sleeping, and will often be drowsy even when they are awake. They may also drift in and out of consciousness. Some people become completely unconscious for periods of time before they die - this could be for a short period or as long as several days. You can carry on speaking quietly to them. You could also try letting them know you are there in other ways, for instance by holding their hand, reading to them, or playing their favourite music.

Some people can become restless in the last few days of life. They will usually become calm again before they die. They may appear confused and not recognise familiar faces, and even see or hear people or things that are not actually there - for instance, they may see pets or people who have died. While this can be upsetting it is not a sign that they feel differently about you. This can be caused by medicines or changes in the chemical balance of the brain, or as a result of drifting in and out of sleep so they are unable to clearly distinguish between what is real and what is not.

If they are agitated, often just sitting with the person can help to calm them down. You can also help by:. Agitation could also be a sign of constipation or difficulty passing urine. Ask the medical team if you have any concerns so they can rule out any underlying causes and if necessary prescribe medicine. Changes to the metabolism of the dying person can cause their breath, skin and body fluids to have a distinctive smell similar to that of nail polish remover.

If a person is dying from bowel or stomach cancer, this smell might be quite strong. The person's hands, feet, ears and nose may feel cold. Their skin may also become mottled and blue, or patchy and uneven in colour.

Occasionally, a person's hands or other body parts may swell a little. This happens due to reduced circulation and is normal. This is not usually painful or uncomfortable. They should also seek support from friends and family. Every person deals with grief in a different way. But there are some common feelings and experiences that people may want to share.

For this reason, bereavement support groups may be useful. Support groups help people explore their grief in a consoling environment with other people facing a similar experience. There are a range of support groups to explore listed on the website Grief. Death is, of course, inevitable, but discussing it and how to face it certainly is not. A new review aims to discover what makes a 'good death. Euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide is when action is taken to end the life of a person who is experiencing long-term illness.

Euthanasia is…. More elderly patients are spending their final days of life in hospice care or intensive care. Does aggressive care represent what a dying patient….

Death anxiety is something that many of us may have felt to some degree, but how is it defined, what are its causes, and how is best to deal with it? What are the signs that someone is close to death? Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, R. Is death near Final hours Other signs After death If a person or loved one is elderly or has a terminal illness, knowing death may be near is often difficult to deal with or comprehend.

How to tell if death is near. Share on Pinterest A decreased appetite may be a sign that death is near. Share on Pinterest A drop in body temperature may mean there is very little blood flowing to the hands. How to cope in the final hours. Other signs of death. Share on Pinterest After a loved one has died, support from family and friends may help people to cope. How to cope after a loved one has died. Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.

Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. What does a 'good death' really mean? What are euthanasia and assisted suicide? Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph.