# How to approach patients and families at the end of life

## TL;DR

This article provides guidance for healthcare practitioners on managing end-of-life care and communicating with patients and families during this difficult time.

## Contribution

The paper offers practical strategies for managing end-of-life symptoms and facilitating conversations with families.

## Key findings

- Common end-of-life symptoms include delirium, breathing changes, and decreased food intake.
- Practical tips are provided for managing symptoms and preparing families for a home death.
- The importance of self-care for practitioners dealing with end-of-life care is emphasized.

## Abstract

Healthcare practitioners are regularly faced with treating patients at the end of their life, and this can be very daunting. This article hopes to help the practitioner have an approach to managing end-of-life care that makes it less distressing. The symptoms at the end-of-life include delirium and/or agitation, breathing changes, skin changes, sleeping more, decrease in need for food and drink, incontinence, and increased secretions. These symptoms are discussed and practical ways of management are given. The article further discusses how to approach the difficult conversation with the family and gives guidance as to what needs to be discussed. A number of tips are discussed on how to prepare the family to handle a death at home. It is essential to look at coping mechanisms and selfcare for practitioners dealing with end-of-life care as the death of a patient not only affects the family but also the practitioner.