Although inevitable, death isn’t a subject that’s openly talked about. A hospice nurse has taken it upon herself to educate people about the end-of-life process through informative videos.
In one of her TikTok videos, Julie McFadden details different stages of natural death, including a tell-tale sign that happens before someone takes their last breath. In a different video, she reveals the most “common deathbed phenomenon” – it isn’t having visions as popular belief holds.
Hospice nurse details different stages of natural death
People can die for several reasons and the end may not look the same for everyone. Julie discusses different phases of the end of life when someone passes away due to natural causes.
She says the months leading to death feel different when someone’s preparing for it. When a person is six months away from dying, the timeline is “greyer”, she says. The symptoms are general, such as feeling lethargic, reduced interest in food, and social isolation.
The symptoms become more distinct when someone is closer to death, such as three months. Julie says when a person has three months left, they may find it difficult to leave the house. “You probably are eating and drinking very little throughout the day. And you’re sleeping more than you’re awake,” she explains.
A tell-tale ‘sign’ that someone is actually dying
When a person is at the end of their life, nearing death through natural progression, they become bedridden. It’s a given sign that they have very little time on them.
“The most distinct time in the dying process is the active-dying phase. That’s the last phase of life,” she says. This is when the dying person is fully unconscious, unable to eat or drink. They can be in the active-dying phase for days.
Even though your loved one is fully unconscious, their body continues to change. One of the most distinct differences will be in the way they breathe. ‘Cheyne-Stokes’ breathing is a common end-life activity, marked by long deep breaths followed by a long pause.
The person’s skin in the active-dying phase may see discoloration, while the body temperature may fluctuate between hot and cold.
Julie explains the other very common sign is “terminal secretion”. You may notice saliva collecting at the back of the throat as the mouth remains open. But your loved ones aren’t in pain, guarantees the hospice nurse.
Julie McFadden is a certified RN/BSN and author, who believes in educating people about “the dying process before they’re going through it with a loved one or themselves.” She has been featured in several leading media outlets including Newsweek, New York Post, People, USA Today, BuzzFeed, and Daily Mail. Her YouTube channel boasts over 420,000 subscribers.
