04/18/2026
7 days of end-of-life tips
Tip #2
Medications
I will start by saying that I am not a big fan of medication. And what I mean by that, is that it is not usually my first go-to because I would like to think there are other things we can do first to try and relieve distress, discomfort, and/or suffering, such as repositioning and verbal or tactile stimuli. However, having said that, medication is important to have on hand and will oftentimes be the difference between pain and peaceful.
A comment I hear often is the connection between hospice, morphine, and death. I have heard people say that their loved one died when they were given Morphine. I have not been in your shoes, I wasn’t there when this might have happened, so I can only speak from my own experience and from what I have seen.
The medications commonly used at the end-of-life are Morphine and Lorazepam (Ativan). There are many others, but for now I will start with them. I am not afraid of these medications because I have seen them work effectively and I rely on them. I am not concerned about someone becoming addicted, and while I respect your fear, I encourage you to remove that from the things you are afraid of. If someone is at the end of their life, becoming addicted would be the last thing I want you to worry about.
I find that pairing medications like Morphine and Lorazepam can be very effective, but this too scares people. I take time to explain the “why,” and say “they are good friends, they play nicely together.” What this means to me, is that when given together they can provide more comfort and relief. For instance… if there is pain, it can increase the agitation/anxiety- if there is agitation/anxiety it can increase the pain. If Morphine and Lorazepam are given together they can often simultaneously reduce both (most of the time).
More is not always better. Our bodies react differently to medication, so we cannot assume that what worked for one person will work for another. This also means that we tolerate doses differently as well. For instance, one person can take Lorazepam and feel relaxed and calm shortly after, another person might sleep for an entire day, and someone else might not feel any relief or it will only last 30 minutes. This cannot be predicted.
I have also witnessed pain increase when medication is given, which is why I like to wait to see how a medication works before immediately giving another dose. Each body reacts differently, therefore it is important to determine whether an increase or reduction of medication is needed, or perhaps changing to a different medication.
Constipation is a common side effect when using opioids, but what I also look for is the dry eyes, the dry mouth, and the reddened and warm cheeks because this can be very uncomfortable for someone who is dying. This is where you come in… offer a cold compress on the cheeks and forehead, or wetting eye drops for the eyes (check with the doctor first), and even just one drop of water is comforting to a dry mouth, but please always be mindful of their swallowing ability and that the head of their bed is elevated. If they are alert and oriented, I suggest sugar-free sucking candies or watermelon… both comfort a dry mouth.
Can someone die after taking these medications? Yes. Did you or your doctor or nurse end their life by giving it to them? In my experience I will say no. When someone is suffering and given medication, they might die shortly after. My rationale for this is that the medication allowed them/their body to stop fighting so hard, and give into what was already happening to them, allowing their body to let go. Their diagnosis and disease process ended their life, the medication just gave their body permission to let go with a little more peace and grace.
If you are afraid of the medications being prescribed for someone you love, ask for more information. Not only are you this person's advocate but you will carry this memory with you for the rest of your life and you need to know that you did right by them. And if you are the doctor or nurse suggesting a medication, please offer as much education to the family, allowing them to feel confident with what is being suggested. Education is so important, and can relieve fear.
I think it is very important to respect that medication can be scary, and most people equate it to addiction and death. I alway do my best to remove these fears, making sure they feel confident and comfortable with what is being given, and how their person is being cared for.
xo
Gabby
www.thehospiceheart.net
For all of my tips, you can find my book “End of Life Tips” here:
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Tips-Gabrielle-Elise-Jimenez/dp/B0C9G8PZZ5/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?
