Providing care for a loved one during hospice treatment presents profound emotional challenges, yet many families find solace in witnessing their relative's peaceful transition. However, the difficulty of remaining present at the moment of death can be overwhelming for some. Insights from a seasoned hospice nurse about what individuals commonly express before passing may offer comfort and reinforce the decision to stay by their side.
From Intensive Care to Hospice Nursing
Julie McFadden, known on social media as @hospicenursejulie, dedicated five years to hospice nursing after more than a decade working in intensive care units. She now leverages platforms like TikTok to educate the public about death, dying, and the realities of end-of-life care. Her mission is to demystify the process and help people prepare emotionally and practically.
In an interview with The Sun, McFadden highlighted key aspects of her role. "The best part about my job is educating patients and families about death and dying as well as supporting them emotionally and physically," she explained. "Also, helping them to understand what to expect is another part of my job as a hospice nurse."
The Most Common Final Utterances
Discussing the poignant moments before death, McFadden revealed a consistent pattern in patients' last words. "There is something most people say before they die and it's usually 'I love you' or they call out to their mum or dad - who have usually already died," she shared. This observation underscores the emotional and familial connections that often surface at life's end.
Normalising End-of-Life Symptoms
McFadden also addresses common misconceptions about dying, explaining that certain physical changes, though they may seem alarming, are typical and not necessarily distressing. These include alterations in breathing patterns, shifts in skin tone such as mottling, terminal secretions, and fluctuations in body temperature.
"The symptoms of the actively dying phase include changes in consciousness (unconscious), changes in breathing, mottling and terminal secretions," she noted. "These are normal and not painful or uncomfortable. Our bodies take care of ourselves at the end of life - the less we intervene, the better."
Using Social Media to Educate
McFadden's journey into social media advocacy began unexpectedly. "I want to normalise death by educating people about it. I went home to visit my family, and my tween nieces were on TikTok making dance videos," she recounted. "I later went on TikTok to see their dances. This gave me the idea of starting my own TikTok about death and dying, four days later I did it and it took off."
Her account has rapidly gained traction, amassing over 340,000 followers in just six months. "I've been doing it for six months now and have over 340,000 followers - it's crazy!" she exclaimed. Through her videos, McFadden aims to provide crucial information about hospice care and its support for entire families, helping to reduce fear and uncertainty surrounding death.
