Coronavirus advice
If you or a loved one is approaching the end of life, you may be concerned about how coronavirus will affect things. Find information and advice:
Becoming drowsy
You'll start to feel more tired and drowsy, and have less energy. You'll probably spend more time sleeping, and as time goes on you'll slip in and out of consciousness.
Not wanting to eat or drink
Not wanting to eat is common in patients who are dying. At this stage, you may also find it difficult to swallow medicine.
Your healthcare professionals can discuss alternative ways of taking medicine with you and your carers, if necessary.
Your family and carers may find it upsetting or worrying if you do not eat, especially if they see you losing weight, but they do not need to make you eat.
As you get closer to dying, your body will not be able to digest food properly and you will not need to eat.
If you cannot swallow to drink, your carers can wet your lips with water.
Changes in breathing
Your breathing may become less regular. You may develop Cheyne-Stokes breathing, when periods of shallow breathing alternate with periods of deeper, rapid breathing.
The deep, rapid breathing may be followed by a pause before breathing begins again.
Your breathing may also become more noisy as a result of the build-up of mucus.
The body naturally produces mucus in your breathing system, including the lungs and nasal passages. When you're healthy, this mucus is removed through coughing.
When you're dying and no longer moving around, the mucus can build up and cause a rattling sound when you breathe.
Confusion and hallucinations
Medicines or changes in the chemical balance of your brain can cause confusion or hallucinations.
A hallucination is when you see or hear things that are not there. If you become confused, you may not recognise where you are or the people you're with.
Some people may experience restlessness or seem to be in distress. For example, they may want to move about, even though they are not able to get out of bed, or they may shout or lash out.
This can be out of character and distressing for family and carers.
The medical team can rule out or treat any underlying causes, such as pain, breathing problems or infection, or calm the person who is dying.
If no underlying cause can be identified, there are medicines that can be used.
Cold hands and feet
Your feet and hands may feel cold as a result of changes in your circulation. Extra blankets over your hands and feet can keep you warm.
Your skin may look slightly blue because of a lack of oxygen in your blood. This is known as cyanosis.
More information
Find more information on the last hours and days, including advice for carers and relatives.
- Helix Centre: What you can do to practically care for someone who is in their last days and hours of life (PDF, 210KB)
- Dying Matters: Being with someone when they die
- Marie Curie: What to expect in the last weeks and days
- Marie Curie: Final moments of life
- Cancer Research UK: Final days
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