Good regular mouth care to eliminate dry mouth and reduce the sensation of thirst. This may be something that some families like to be actively involved with.
Ensuring that appropriate pressure relieving mattresses are in place and their effectiveness regularly monitored.
Consider catheterisation, using convenes or pads to maintain dignity and avoid incontinence.
Only continue medication needed for symptom control, but ensure that the family is aware of why other medications have been stopped. Review the route of administration and plan ahead, so that an alternative route is available if the oral route becomes impossible.
Anticipate possible symptoms and ensure there is a means of addressing them quickly both in hours and out of hours. For instance, is the patient at risk of a fit? If so, can the family be taught to use rectal diazepam and is it in the house?
Patients are dying from their disease and not from lack of fluid or food. Artificial hydration of any sort does not usually contribute to a dying patient’s comfort. This needs to be sensitively explained to the carers and patient.
