Active Dying and the Final Days of Life with Claritza Rios

Our podcast is hosted on Spotify and Anchor.

Dr. Claritza Rios leads an informal and interactive discussion on active dying and considerations for the end of life.

Dying is a part of life, but it's unlike the rest of life in important ways. There are things to consider both directly before, and directly after, a death: what to expect from the body, sitting vigil, cultural and religious ceremony, pronouncing the death and considering burial versus cremation.

Show Notes:

0:00 Introduction

4:09 Defining the stages of death: pre-active vs. active dying/death

4:38 What you may notice during the phases of pre-active death

5:45 Addressing “closure” for relationships near the time of death

7:16 Signs in the body of active dying

9:33 What is sitting vigil? Making a plan for this phase

11:00 What are things loved ones can do while sitting vigil?

12:00 Physical things you can do while sitting vigil

13:24 Creating a peaceful environment at end of life

14:33 Building in short breaks while sitting vigil

16:50 Talking to the dying person at the end of life

17:27 Defining hospice care: what it is and how it’s provided

19:07 At time of death: giving yourself a pass to react differently than how you expected

21:55 What is means to “pronounce the death”

22:38 Different types of options for a body after death: cremation, natural burial, and traditional burial

25:25 How to support a family vs. the person who is dying when the person dying has dementia?

28:26 On using oxygen at end of life

31:18 How and when to start a discussion on memorializing and funeral planning?

33:32 Considerations around Death with Dignity or Physician Assisted Dying

38:02 What is delirium at the end of life?

41:55 How is morphine used at end of life?

46:35 Specific signs to look for at end of life that indicate the end is near

48:06 Are hospice organizations required to notify people of signs of active dying?

50:50 Opinions on respiration rate per minute in the dying person?

52:40 Are there requirements around calling a funeral home after someone dies?

54:20 Things you can do with your loved one before calling a funeral home

55:40 Home funeral agencies are great resources: National Home Funeral Alliance

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