28 days with no water (hospice) ?!?

[lgliser]

My grandmother is on hospice and has not had food or water for 28 days now. I tried to Google this and can't really find anything like it. I guess I was just curious if anyone hear had any insight to how this is even possible, or if you knew of a similar situation.

[Daria]

No IV's?  28 days seems like a long time without hydration.

 

I am so sorry that your grandmother is in this situation.

[Ravin]

Hospice must be giving her IV fluids? My understanding is that they will not force a dying person to eat or drink. A friend whose father passed recently saw him refuse to eat or drink much near the end. It happens that way. They do everything they can to keep the person as comfortable as possible. My heart goes out to you and your family in this trying time.

Edited August 19, 2017 by Ravin

[lgliser]

 

 

No IV's?  28 days seems like a long time without hydration.

Right, no IV's. I believe all she is getting is liquid morphine but that's supposed to dry you out anyway. :(

[Melissa in Australia]

I am guessing this is by choice? it can take a lot longer that thought to die

[lgliser]

 

 

Hospice must be giving her IV fluids?

No IV! They said when she first stopped eating/drinking that it would be a matter of days.

[lgliser]

 

 

My grandmother lived much longer than anyone expected after she stopped taking food or water. I don't remember how long exactly, but I think it was 3-4 weeks. 

Wow... Thanks for chiming in. So unbelievable! 

[MercyA]

Usually death from dehydration occurs within about ten days to two weeks. The human body is sometimes capable of amazing things. I think sometimes people "wait" for something in particular--to see someone or feel that it's okay to leave or to be at peace with dying. I'm not sure if your grandmother is conscious at all, though?

 

I will pray for your grandma. I am so sorry.

 

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:

Edited August 19, 2017 by MercyA

[lgliser]

 

 

Usually death from dehydration occurs within about ten days to two weeks. I will pray for your grandma. I am so sorry.

Thank you for the prayers!

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

I'm very sorry  :grouphug:  We just went through this ourselves, but my grandmother went very quickly. She was also eating ice chips, though not very often. 28 days is a surprisingly long time. I hope for peace for you and your grandmother and your family.

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

My grandma went about ten days after she reached that point. Hospice continued to place damp sponges against her lips and tongue throughout to alleviate any discomfort from feeling dried out, but she would not drink from a glass.

 

So sorry you are going through this.

[Hannah]

This must be so hard for your family - so sorry for all involved.  Wishing you all peace.

[displace]

Prayers for your family.

[umsami]

Wow, that is a long time.  Agree with the others, though.

 

Have you tried telling her it's OK to go? Sometimes that's all people need to hear to pass on.  

 

I will be praying for your Grandma and for your family.  May she have a peaceful passing.

[MedicMom]

My grandfather lingered for weeks after he stopped eating and drinking. At least in this area, you don't get IV hydration if you're home on hospice. The theory is that once you've stopped eating and drinking, your body is saying it's time. Some people do linger quite a while though. It was horrible with my grandfather, and we know he was suffering despite the morphine.

 

I pray your grandmother passes peacefully and quickly.

[Murphy101]

My husband's grandmother lasted almost 5 weeks that way. She didn't seem uncomfortable.

[Sunshine State Sue]

My grandma went about ten days after she reached that point.

My sister's MIL decided it was time to go, hired a palliative care doctor, and stopped eating and drinking.  She passed away in 10 days.  28 days sounds unusual.

 

:grouphug:

 

[RootAnn]

My grandmother lasted awhile (21 days?) after they stopped food/drink. My dad didn't last as long (less than 2 weeks?), but they used a special q-tip looking device to wet down the inside of his mouth several times a day. He didn't want to die of thirst, but didn't want extraordinary means (including IVs) to keep him alive once he'd given up fighting Alzheimers, diabetes, etc.

 

Many prayers & hugs to you & your family.

[Scarlett]

I am so sorry. That is so touch on you all.

[East Coast Sue]

My grandmother lingered for many days, about 20.

Once she stopped receiving IV hydration and feeding tube, she had an increased level of consciousness for some days. I was not expecting that. She seemed more aware in some ways and also more agitated. It was incredibly difficult to watch.

(((Hugs)))

 

 

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[Reefgazer]

I'm sorry about your grandmother; I hope she is comfortable.  No IVs doesn't mean any fluid.  They won't withhold water if she obtains it on her own or through food, so is she obtaining water on her own at all?.

My grandmother is on hospice and has not had food or water for 28 days now. I tried to Google this and can't really find anything like it. I guess I was just curious if anyone hear had any insight to how this is even possible, or if you knew of a similar situation.

 

Edited August 19, 2017 by reefgazer

[prairiewindmomma]

My grandfather and grandmother both lasted about as long. They went into it with good nutrition. It was obvious as organs shut down, and they both went into twilight comas near the very end.

 

A 7-14 day window is much more normal.

[lgliser]

 

 

No IVs doesn't mean any fluid.  They won't withhold water if she obtains it on her own or through food, so is she obtaining water on her own at all?.

No, she is not "with it" enough to be eating or drinking on her own.

 

 

 

"Have you tried telling her it's OK to go? Sometimes that's all people need to hear to pass on."

Not me personally but I think my mom and aunt have. Good question though... I'll ask them if they've actually verbalized it to her!

 

Thanks for the prayers, everyone. Very appreciated. 

[Katy]

It's common.  If she's in a nursing home or hospice they are probably doing at least hourly rounds on her, to reposition her and prevent bedsores, and when they do that they typically have this thing that looks a bit like a sponge on a stick.  It's got a mint flavoring in it, and they will use it to wet her mouth and lips a few times.  If she can swallow she's likely getting more water that way than you might think.  If they're using it 2-3 times a round, it might be a tablespoon of water per hour.  Not a lot, but more than none.