Nurses and caregivers are typically the people who watch terminally ill patients in their final days the most. Therefore, they have noticed the tell-tale signs that a patient will soon pass many times. In an effort to spread awareness of these signs, nurses have started sharing their advice on social media sites.
In this article, we will explore this sudden energy surge and know why it happens in terminally ill patients.
A Nurse’s Concern About the End-of-Life Surge of Energy
Nurse Ruby Gramlow works for Hospice of the Red River Valley in the United States. She recently shared about her experiences with patients in their final days on the hospice’s blog. [1] In the blog, she wrote the importance of being with loved ones in their final days, as well as certain tell-tale signs that their time may be coming to an end.
While many signals of coming d3ath may seem clear, there is one that often misleads people into thinking that the patient is actually recovering. They seem to be their old selves again, which typically raises false hope in family members, only for the patient to fall seriously ill shortly afterward. This unexpected energy surge is short-lived, typically only lasting anywhere from a couple of minutes to several hours and happening one or two days before they ultimately leave.
Does Everybody Experience an End-of-Life Surge of Energy?
As individuals reach their final days, their bodies start to slow down; they sleep more often, talk less, and eat less food and liquids. However, 4 out of ten people experience a unexpected energy surge a few days before they di:e.
More Signs of an End-of-Life Surge
Nurses have noticed that people who experience an end-of-life surge of energy will often suddenly sit up in their beds. They may speak clearly for extended periods and be clear in their thoughts and communication. However, these signs aren’t always positive; sometimes they may show agitated or talk nonsensically.
The Causes of Terminal Lucidity
Terminal lucidity is not well recognized, and experts are still unsure what neurological mechanisms are joined in this medical phenomenon. Besides individuals who have been diagnosed with dementia, terminal lucidity has also been experienced in individuals diagnosed with conditions such as str0kes, schizophrenia, and brain tumors.
How Long Does an End-of-life Surge Last?
According to one study, around 90% of severe dementia patients who suffer from terminal lucidity typically pass on within 7 days. Additionally, 41% of those di:ed within 1 to 2 days, and 15% of those studied di:ed within two hours of displaying terminal lucidity. This could also help loved ones begin to emotionally get ready with their impending passing.
The Bottom Line on End-of-Life Surges
Watching a person you love getting weaker every day is distressingly difficult. Therefore, any sign of apparent recovery is usually met with a sense of relief. However, signs that seem positive are sometimes indications that the individual may be in their final moments. Yet, often, this is simply a sign that they will soon pass and an opportunity to have one last moment with that person.
