A hospice nurse with 1.3 million followers sheds light on the moments before death and dispels hospice myths.
Demystify the Often-Taboo Subject of Death
Julie, a dedicated hospice nurse from Los Angeles, California, who goes by the TikTok handle @hospicenursejulie, has provided insights into a familiar occurrence she’s observed among individuals in their final moments.
With several years of experience caring for patients in their last stages of life, Julie has embarked on a mission to demystify the often-taboo subject of death through her presence on social media.
Her role as a hospice nurse primarily involves offering compassionate care to terminally ill patients, addressing their physical needs, and tending to their emotional and spiritual well-being.
With a considerable following of 1.3 million on TikTok, Julie utilizes her platform to share candid information about death, diminishing the fear and stigma surrounding it.
“I Love You”
Julie recently shared valuable insights regarding the behaviors and expressions of individuals approaching their imminent passing.
Among these changes, she elucidated shifts in breathing patterns, skin color alterations, terminal secretions, and instances of fever. However, the last words of dying patients have captured her attention.
According to Julie, a recurring sentiment is “I love you,” often shortly before their passing.
Additionally, she noted that many individuals “Call out to their mum or dad – who have usually already died.”
Physical Shifts Are a Natural Part of the Process
Yet, Julie acknowledges that the experience of death is highly individualistic, and generalizations might not capture the entirety of the process.
Nevertheless, she highlighted that patients whose deaths result from natural causes tend to exhibit comparable symptoms during the “Actively dying phase.”
This phase encompasses changes in consciousness, breathing patterns, and skin mottling, accompanied by terminal secretions.
Julie reassures that these physical shifts are a natural part of the process and neither painful nor uncomfortable.
It Can Be a Daunting and Unsettling Period
She emphasizes the body’s innate ability to navigate this phase, suggesting minimal intervention often yields better results.
Addressing common misconceptions, Julie debunks certain myths associated with hospice care.
Contrary to popular belief, not all individuals expire shortly after being admitted to a hospice facility. She also dispels the notion that morphine administration accelerates the dying process.
Beyond her role in dispelling myths, Julie finds deep gratification in her profession. Her ultimate satisfaction stems from her role in guiding the dying and their families through what can be a daunting and unsettling period.
“Supporting Them Emotionally and Physically”
She expresses, “The best part about my job is educating patients and families about death and dying and supporting them emotionally and physically. Also, helping them to understand what to expect is another part of my job as a hospice nurse.”
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The post “I Love You” – A Hospice Nurse’s Heartfelt Journey Through the Final Moments of Life first appeared on The Net Worth Of.
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Source: TikTok