An expert has revealed some of the telling signs that somebody is close to death are sleeping more and having their skin change colour. While being aware of the signs and noticing them on a loved one can be both mentally and emotionally challenging, they may be useful to spot in the lead up to a loved one's passing to help make them feel more comfortable and prepared.
Web MD accumulated a list of symptoms that indicate someone may be dying one to three months before their passing and they were reviewed by physician Carol DerSarkissian. While a few highlighted symptoms were obvious such as a tendency to rest more, others were more surprising such as the skin on their hands, knees and feet turning a blotchy shade of blue and purple, the Mirror reports.
Leading up to a loved one's death, they may also disassociate and no longer have an interest in things they would normally enjoy. Other initial indicative signs are your loved one eating and drinking less.
For older people, during the dying process they are less likely to converse while a child may do the opposite and speak a lot more.
The most obvious signs are around the time period one to two weeks before somebody dies. At this stage, Web MD said a "person may feel tired and drained all the time, so much that they don't leave their bed" and could experience a change in sleeping patterns.
At this point there is often little appetite for food or even thirst for liquids. Other noticeable changes can include a shift in blood pressure, breathing and heart rate as well as the person experiencing higher levels of pain.
Mental changes can include disorientation or experiencing hallucinations. Marie Curie, the UK's largest end-of-life charity, advised that while your loved one may not be responsive when they're being touched or spoken to, they may still be able to feel or hear you and be given final comforting moments by your presence.
The charity also suggested not to dwell over when the right moment was to say goodbye and that families should "do what feels right for you", it advised.
They added: "Some people get worse more quickly than expected. So if there is something you want to say to your family member or friend, it's important to say it.
"You may want to ask other family or friends to visit or say goodbye to your loved one. Or you might want to arrange for a religious or spiritual leader to visit. Not everyone wants to do this – and that's OK too. Some people might need time to rest between visitors and might find a large group of people overwhelming. Others might find it comforting to have people around."
As people get closer to their final hours, their "skin on their knees, feet, and hands" may turn a "mottled bluish-purple" and they may experience difficult breathing. At this late stage, their body temperature may also drop and urinating and bowel moments may come to an end.
Marie Curie has advice on palliative care here.
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