Evaluating the Quality of Dying and Death Form

Instructions and help about Evaluating The Quality Of Dying And Death

We all come to death in different ways, but unless it’s a case of sudden or traumatic death, there are some recognizable signs. I’m Paulien Moyaert, a Belgian nuclear medicine resident and dementia researcher. I make videos about end-of-life care because I believe this can guide families and help them understand the signs of impending death. The first sign you may notice is a decreased appetite. It is common to encourage your loved one to eat or to provide artificial nutrition when you notice this. However, research now indicates that forced nutrition in terminally ill patients may actually worsen the patient’s condition. Digesting food requires a level of energy that the dying person just may not have. One way even a healthy person may have experienced this lack of energy for digestion is by growing nauseous or vomiting following an intense workout. During an exhaustive workout, the body reallocates resources to the muscle groups and organs that require it the most. This leaves