Food and drink are so much more than just providing calories, nutrients and fluid. They are important parts of our cultures, our preferences and choices. They are central to how we connect, share and show care for each other.

Loss of interest and reduced need for food and drink is part of the normal dying process. When a person stops eating and drinking it can be hard to accept even when we know they are dying. We encourage those who are important to the patient to be involved in supporting them to eat and drink as long as they want to, ensuring that eating and drinking remains pleasurable. If the person is able to swallow, offer small amounts of their favourite soft food/drink for enjoyment.

  • Have available the patient's favourite soft foods/drinks
  • Ensure they are awake/responsive enough to swallow
  • Help them to sit as upright as possible
  • If the patient is able to drink from a cup, glass, teaspoon or straw, offer sips as tolerated
  • Be patient and allow adequate time to swallow before offering another mouthful
  • If the patient is coughing, or it is causing distress then you can always stop and try again later
  • If the patient is no longer able to safely swallow, please speak to a member of the team for advice and guidance around products available to ensure the mouth is kept moist with favourite flavours
  • Continue to offer flavours as often as required/appropriate
  • If a patient declines to eat and drink, we must not force them but remember we can offer again later
Supporting mouth care at the end of life

It is a natural and expected part of the dying process for patients to become sleepier for longer periods and to eventually stop eating and drinking. When this happens, mouth care should be given more often.

Mouth care is more than just brushing teeth. It involves cleaning and moistening all parts of the mouth including teeth, dentures, lips, tongue and cheeks.

”Taste for Pleasure” promotes mouth care with a patient’s favourite flavours to provide moisture, for example, tea, coffee, soft drinks whisky or wine, helping enhance quality of life by increasing comfort. In addition to the pleasure for the patient, it can help create positive memories for family and friends by promoting an opportunity to reminisce about the dying person’s life and things they enjoyed.

Artificial hydration and nutrition

We know that hunger and thirst naturally decrease at the end of our lives and, as this occurs, the sleep drive increases to promote a peaceful and natural death.

As patients become more sleepy and less hungry and thirsty, artificial hydration by a drip or tube feeding is not usually of benefit. It is unlikely to help them live longer or make them feel better. As the body slows down it struggles to absorb the extra fluid which can build up in the lungs and other organs resulting in distressing symptoms and increased discomfort.

For those patients with tube feeding, it will be appropriate to review, reduce and possibly stop feeds in line with the natural dying process. his will be discussed and explained by the team looking after your loved one.

Although these changes can be upsetting, they are a natural part of the end of life process and supporting this transition ensures patient comfort is maintained.

Taste for Pleasure, above all else, aims to provide comfort and dignity to those who are dying and to leave precious memories for those left behind.

Confidentiality

‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.

For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:

Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:

pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:

complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302