Dying in Hospital/Residential Setting

The majority of deaths in Ireland take place in hospitals and residential care settings.  When death is anticipated in these care settings, there are a number of aspects of care and practical considerations that family members and carers can prepare for. 

• It can be helpful to identify the key staff who will be caring for the person who is imminently dying, and arrange to get regular health status updates. Equally staff need to be aware of key family contacts and the best way to communicate with them
• Privacy and dignity as someone is approaching death are paramount.  The need for a single room should be identified to key staff contacts.
• Family members and close friends can also benefit from having informal gathering spaces, and possibly overnight accommodation.  This requirement should be made known to the key staff contact.
• Flexibility with regard to visiting hours should also enabled.
• Key staff need to be made aware of the personal preferences and care plans of the individual who is dying. 

The Hospice Friendly Hospital programme,  which is seeking to put hospice principles into hospital practice to facilitate good deaths in all residential settings, is developing standards in relation to care for death and dying in hospitals and public care homes.