When Somebody Is Dying

[Tilly2]

in what order do they lose their five senses? Which is the last sense to remain?

Anybody know?

[rowanwitch]

The only clue you have is with patients who are fully monitored. On that basis I would suspect touch is lost after hearing but only because after seeing the changes to heart rate in response to familiar voices level out I often saw an increase in heart rate to interventions requiring physical contact, e.g. wiping someone's nose or moistening their lips. It also seems different when someone is dying without a lot of drugs and is not monitored. In that case it would seem hearing and touch go around the same time because you are only aware of bigger changes to facial expression or to the patients breathing.

[pixie374]

I would say touch is last to go. Most people instinctively hold their hands when people are dying and they respond to touch the longest.

[Tilly2]

I was hoping it was touch. I wanted to 'know' that my dad could feel me holding his hand and stroking his arm.

[pixie374]

I think so- it's such a natural thing to do- much more than talking in the last few minutes.

[Tilly2]

I couldn't actually physically speak, Pikie.

I'd said what I wanted to say, previously.

[Tilly2]

^ Pixie......sorry.

[pixie374]

That sounds completely normal xx

[Tilly2]

I imagine so, Pixie. Thank you.

Rowan, thank you too for that detailed and thoughtful answer.

[david small]

That's very moving Tilly2

[ducksie]

we were always told the hearing was the last to go - a medical person told me I could speak to my dad for up to 15 mins after he took his last breath

[Samuraisan]

Are you really 92 whiskey ? I thought you were much younger

[anneasquith]

15 minutes after death, surely not ?

[ummmm]

Open coffins at wakes can be very upsetting too.