Can a person who is dying hear you?

"Dying loved ones may hear something if we speak to them." Our final words to loved ones may not fall on deaf ears. As humans lay dying, new research suggests that one crucial sense is still functioning: The brain still registers the last sounds a person will ever hear, even if the body has become unresponsive.
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Can someone who's dying hear you?

While the dying person may be unresponsive, there is growing evidence that even in this unconscious state, people are aware of what is going on around them and can hear conversations and words spoken to them, although it may feel to them like they are in a dream state.
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When someone is dying Are they aware?

The person will usually slip slowly into complete unconsciousness. They can't be woken at all but may still be able to hear and be aware of the people around them. Each person's death is individual, just as their life is. For some people, dying may include restlessness.
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What are the last moments before death like?

The following symptoms are often a sign that the person is about to die:
  • They might close their eyes frequently or they might be half-open.
  • Facial muscles may relax and the jaw can drop.
  • Skin can become very pale.
  • Breathing can alternate between loud rasping breaths and quiet breathing.
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What are the signs of the last hours of life?

In the final hours of life, your loved one's body will begin to shut down.
...
Hours Before Death Symptoms
  • Glassy, teary eyes that may be half-opened.
  • Cold hands.
  • Weak pulse.
  • Increased hallucinations.
  • Sleeping and unable to be awoken.
  • Breathing is interrupted by gasps, or may stop entirely.
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5 Things You Should Know When Someone is Actively Dying



Can a person hear you when they are on life support?

They do hear you, so speak clearly and lovingly to your loved one. Patients from Critical Care Units frequently report clearly remembering hearing loved one's talking to them during their hospitalization in the Critical Care Unit while on "life support" or ventilators.
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What does it mean when a dying person reaches out?

It is not uncommon to see a dying person calling or reaching out to a deceased family member or to a religious figure or speak of visits from or dreams about those who have died before them. These accounts are usually comforting to the dying person.
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What should you not say to a dying person?

What not to say to someone who is dying
  • Don't ask 'How are you?' ...
  • Don't just focus on their illness. ...
  • Don't make assumptions. ...
  • Don't describe them as 'dying' ...
  • Don't wait for them to ask.
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How do you say goodbye to someone who is dying?

How to Say Goodbye When Someone You Love is Dying
  1. Don't wait. ...
  2. Be honest about the situation. ...
  3. Offer reassurance. ...
  4. Keep talking. ...
  5. It's okay to laugh. ...
  6. Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care provides support to terminally ill patients and their loved ones.
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How long does the final stage of death take?

Active dying is the final phase of the dying process. While the pre-active stage lasts for about three weeks, the active stage of dying lasts roughly three days. By definition, actively dying patients are very close to death, and exhibit many signs and symptoms of near-death.
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How do you talk to a dying person?

10 Tips For Talking To Someone Who Is Dying: Finding The Right...
  1. Take the initiative and start the conversation. ...
  2. Follow their conversation lead. ...
  3. Focus on their needs. ...
  4. Don't avoid the topic of death. ...
  5. Say “I love you.” ...
  6. It's okay to express yourself honestly. ...
  7. Show you appreciate them. ...
  8. Encourage them to remember.
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Should you give water to a dying person?

Since dehydration will most likely be the cause of death, it is important not to drink anything once you start. Even sips of water may prolong the dying process. We recommend that all medications be stopped except for those for pain or other discomfort.
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Can you smell death before a person dies?

But when it comes to smelling death before someone dies, medical professionals agree that there's no specific scientific smell associated with impending death. However, a dying person will put off a very distinct acetone odor related to the changes in the metabolism emanating from the breath, skin, and bodily fluids.
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What is the last sense to leave the body?

They concluded that the dying brain responds to sound tones even during an unconscious state and that hearing is the last sense to go in the dying process. Many people who have had near-death experiences describe a sense of "awe" or "bliss" and a reluctance to come back into their bodies after being revived.
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Is a person on life support conscious?

Once someone is on mechanical ventilation, he or she has to be in the ICU. Although in the past patients were kept in an induced coma while they were on mechanical ventilation, these days recent research suggests that it's possible to keep patients comfortably awake and alert while they are on mechanical ventilation.
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What are the stages of end of life?

3 Main Stages Of Dying

There are three main stages of dying: the early stage, the middle stage and the last stage. These are marked by various changes in responsiveness and functioning. However, it is important to keep mind that the timing of each stage and the symptoms experienced can vary from person to person.
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What is the burst of energy before death called?

This difficult time may be complicated by a phenomenon known as the surge before death, or terminal lucidity, which can happen days, hours, or even minutes before a person's passing. Often occurring abruptly, this period of increased energy and alertness may give families false hope that their loved ones will recover.
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What is the sweet smell of death?

In addition, there is a strong undercurrent of butyric acid, which reeks of vomit. As decomposition progresses, these substances are joined by other chemicals, including intoxicating amounts of phenol, which has a sweet, burning-rubber type smell.
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What order do organs shut down when dying?

The digestive and respiratory systems begin to shut down during the gradual process of dying. A dying person no longer wants to eat as digestion slows, the digestive track loses moisture, and chewing, swallowing, and elimination become painful processes.
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How long can a dying person live without food?

How Long Can Someone Who Is Dying Survive Without Food Or Water? According to one study, you cannot survive without food and water for more than 8 to 21 days. Individuals on their deathbeds who utilize very little energy may only survive a few days or weeks without food or water.
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When an elderly person stops eating How long can they live?

People can go longer without eating than they can without drinking, but for someone who is bedridden, they will typically die within a few days to two weeks if they stop eating or drinking completely.
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What are the signs that death is near?

You may notice their:
  • Eyes tear or glaze over.
  • Pulse and heartbeat are irregular or hard to feel or hear.
  • Body temperature drops.
  • Skin on their knees, feet, and hands turns a mottled bluish-purple (often in the last 24 hours)
  • Breathing is interrupted by gasping and slows until it stops entirely.
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Can a dying person talk?

As the body shuts down, the dying person may lose interest in people around them. They will stop talking, interacting and keeping up with the conversation. They could also mumble and ramble to themselves.
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How do you talk to a family member who is dying?

Listen rather than talk

Allowing your bereaved friend or family member to talk about the person who died can really help them cope with their grief. If they talk about the person, don't try to change the subject. Listen to what they have to say without interrupting. Some people may not want to talk at all.
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What to do when visiting a dying person?

Here are a couple of tips to help you keep the visit authentic:
  1. Do say – “It's good to see you.” Let them know you have been thinking of them.
  2. At a loss for words – It's OK to say, “Mary, I don't know what to say or do, but I'm here and I care about you.”
  3. Listen – If the person talks about being anxious, listen quietly.
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