What not to do when a loved one dies “Then we extend the whole process”

Katarzyna Kałduńska is a palliative nurse who runs a home hospice. She is also the founder and president of the Hospice House Foundation in Pruszcz Gdański. In a recent conversation, she talked about working in a hospice and admitted what not to do with a dying person.

You can read more similar articles on the home page

He thinks we should normalize death. “He’ll come to us eventually”

According to the nurse, there is still a taboo around the topic of death, passing away and palliative care in Poland, which should not be discussed. She herself believes that these issues should be normalized, as they are the natural order of things, because death affects each of us. “Whether we tame it or not, it will come to us eventually,” she admitted in , adding that we have a choice: either we fear it or accept it.

She works in a hospice, where she tames patients with death. In the last moments, he fulfills their whims

Katarzyna Kałduńska is also trying to change the attitude towards those who are often considered “mortal”. In fact, they are safe and soothing places where patients become accustomed to death, thanks to which they begin to treat it as the next stage. Although her approach seems controversial to some, in the conversation she admitted that in the last moments she tries to fulfill their whims, even if they concern a cigarette or alcohol. Such behavior usually provokes opposition from relatives. “It’s only after talking to them that they realize how important it is to let the dying person have one last chance to enjoy the pleasures of everyday life,” she said.

A palliative nurse reveals what not to do with a dying person. There are two common behaviors

According to her, an extremely important role in the departure is played by the closest ones, whose presence in an unusual way affects the sense of security of the charges. however, she noted that they should be aware of two basic issues that relate to dying peacefully. In her opinion, family and friends should not:

• to dissuade a patient from death, although almost everyone does it at first when a loved one dies. We shake her shoulders, we beg her to come back, we cry. – It’s the worst thing we can do. Then we prolong the whole process of dying. Patients need understanding and permission from their loved ones to leave, the nurse points out.
• force-fed to show love and keep alive. It is completely unnecessary, because the patient does not need it. Such behavior only causes additional suffering and prolongs the agony.