End of life nurse shares the most surprising things she’s learned about death
An end of life nurse has shared some of the most surprising things that she's learned about death.
Julie - who goes by Hospice Nurse Julie on YouTube - uses her platform to educate others and to provide comfort and reassurance to those who feel scared or unsettled by the thought of death.
Now, most of us don't like to think too much about death, after all it's a pretty scary concept.
But nurse Julie says that ever since she's spent a lot of time with people at the end of their lives, she's become less afraid.
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In a video, Julie shared three of the most surprising things she's learned about death, explaining that while there are so many unknowns about dying, being educated on what actually happens can be hugely beneficial.
Unconscious loved ones can hear us
Julie explained that even if a loved one is unconscious and unresponsive, it's likely they can still hear those around them.
For this reason, she advises people to be conscious about what they're discussing, and to ensure they're talking to the patient and not about them.
"We do believe they can hear us," she said.
"Talk to your loved one like they're there, like they can respond back, even if they cannot. Say the things you need and want to say. Don't talk about them like they're not there.
"If you're in the room with your loved one, be respectful to them and don't argue."
Julie explained that when she worked in ICU with coma patients, once they had woken from the coma, they reported being able to hear certain conversations and sense when somebody was in the room.
Julie explained the things she finds surprising (YouTube/Hospice Nurse Julie)
'The phenomenon'
Julie said: "The different death bed phenomenon is mind-blowing. It happens at the end of life... death bed visioning, choosing when they're going to die, waiting for people to come into the room, waiting for people to leave... seeing it with my own eyes was shocking and comforting."
She notes the death phenomenon happens so often that she feels compelled to educate others.
Dehydration
Julie explained that being dehydrated at the end of life can lead to a more peaceful death.
"Dehydration at the end of life will help you die more peacefully, a dying body cannot handle the hydration that a living body can," the hospice nurse said.
"They'll become fluid overloaded, the heart can't pump the fluid like it should, it won't stay intravascular in the person's veins and arteries, it will cause swelling and respiratory distress."
Julie said she was amazed about how bodies 'help us die'.
"Our bodies will start helping us be more dehydrated, the body knows that the more dehydrated you are the better you'll feel," she continued.
"You'll go into ketosis and your body will release endorphins that will give you a euphoric feeling and start dulling pain."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.
Lucy Devine