Communication Changes in Hospice Patients Near the End of Life
As a hospice patient's condition changes, communication may change with it. Someone who once carried on long conversations may begin answering with only a few words. A patient may stop initiating conversation, take longer to respond, speak more softly, or spend increasing amounts of time with their eyes closed while family members sit nearby wondering whether they are still aware of what is happening around them. These changes can be difficult for families because conversation is often one of the ways people feel connected. When verbal communication decreases, caregivers may worry that the patient is uncomfortable, withdrawing from them, or no longer recognizes their presence. Hospice teams can help families understand that communication can take many forms and show them how to continue offering comfort without requiring the patient to respond in the way they once did. Communication May Become More Effortful Talking requires energy. For a patient who is becoming increasingly weak o...