Gulfside Hospice Guide

What to Expect When Dying

 

 

Death can come suddenly, but often death comes with a natural slowing down of the body’s physical and mental systems. Often, we can share an estimated time frame based on how your body is responding to the disease process. The Gulfside Hospice care team understands that death is different for every person and will tailor a plan of care for each patient. The experience of this moment may take you by surprise, but the Gulfside Hospice care team is here to help.

Act as a guide and teach you signs that may occur before death, such as:

  1. Increased sleeping or difficulty waking up.
  2. Pauses in breathing or vocal breathing.
  3. Changes in skin color.
  4. Changes in body temperature.
  5. Changes in appetite or ability to swallow.
  6. Decreased urination and bowel elimination.

Train and educate you on how to use medications and how to manage end-of-life symptoms.

Help you recognize non-verbal cues to determine if your loved one is uncomfortable.

Support you and your loved one during the dying process.

Respect and honor wishes.

Talk in a gentle way or play music to provide comfort. The sense of hearing remains until the end, even if the patient cannot respond.

Touch can often provide comfort, like gently holding a patient’s hand. However, some patients may become more sensitive to touch, making physical contact less soothing and potentially uncomfortable.

Provide medications as prescribed.

Report any questions or concerns and discuss them with your hospice care team at 800-561-4883.

Bereavement Services

The journey of losing a loved one is undeniably one of life’s most challenging experiences. It is a time marked by grief, confusion, and a range of emotions that can be overwhelming. Hospice bereavement services are designed to provide compassionate support to grieving individuals and assist in:

  • Recognizing the importance of seeking help to cope with grief
  • Understanding that grief is a natural and complex response to loss
  • Providing a safe space to express and process emotions associated with loss
  • Reducing feeling of isolation by connecting with others who understand
  • Supporting the search for meaning and purpose after the loss of a loved one
  • Encouraging growth through transformative experiences
  • Equipping individuals with healthy coping mechanisms to navigate daily life
  • Offering tools to manage grief-triggers stress, anxiety, and depressions
  • Encouraging a reconnection with life and fostering supportive relationships with others
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Available Gulfside Hospice Bereavement Support

How to Access Bereavement Services

Bereavement support is provided without cost to anyone regardless of when they experience their loss or their connection to the departed. These services are accessible at any point following the passing of a loved one. Reach out to Gulfside’s Bereavement Department at 800-561-4883 to talk with a bereavement counselor to discuss your situation, needs and preferences to find the most suitable pathway for you. You can also email our Bereavement Services team by filling out this form.

Gulfside Hospice bereavement services play an integral role in guiding individuals and families through the intricate process of grief. By understanding the available resources, accessing the appropriate support, and engaging in healing activities, you can navigate your grief journey with greater resilience, finding solace in the understanding and compassion of others who have walked a similar path.

Remember, seeking support is not a sign of weakness but a courageous step toward healing and renewal.