This type of care does not happen only in the moments before breathing ceases and the heart stops beating. What is end-of-life care?Įnd-of-life care is the term used to describe the support and medical care given during the time surrounding death. Such care often involves a team: Always remember to check with the person’s health care team to make sure these suggestions are appropriate for the situation. In this article, you will read about ways to help provide care and comfort to someone who is dying.

You may want to know how to provide comfort, what to say, or what to do. It's common to wonder what happens when someone is dying. Others remain physically strong while cognitive function declines. For some older adults at the end of life, the body weakens while the mind stays clear. Death can come suddenly, or a person may linger in a near-death state for days. Not all end-of-life experiences are alike.