What to Expect in the Last Weeks of Life

When someone you love is nearing the end of life, not knowing what to expect can make an already difficult time feel even heavier. Families may notice changes and wonder if they are normal, if their loved one is suffering, or if they should be doing something differently.

Every person’s experience at the end of life is different, and there is no exact timeline for what will happen. However, there are some changes that are commonly seen during the last weeks of life. Understanding these changes can help families feel a little more prepared and less afraid of what they are seeing.

Changes May Begin Gradually

The dying process does not always begin with one obvious change. Often, families notice several smaller changes over time.

Your loved one may begin sleeping more, have less energy, or need more help with things they were previously able to do on their own. They may spend more time in bed or in a chair and have less interest in activities they once enjoyed. You may also notice that they are less interested in having visitors or participating in conversations.

This can be difficult for families, especially when someone who was once very social begins to withdraw. It does not necessarily mean they no longer want their family around them. As the body becomes weaker, simply being awake, talking, or interacting can require more energy. Sometimes, being quietly present is enough.

Eating and Drinking May Look Different

A decrease in appetite is another common change as someone approaches the end of life.

They may begin eating smaller portions, only want certain foods, take a few bites and say they are full, or eventually have very little interest in food at all. Drinking may decrease as well. For families, this can be one of the hardest changes to accept. Food is one of the ways we care for the people we love. We cook for them, encourage them to eat, and associate eating with strength and getting better. It can feel wrong to stop encouraging someone to eat. But as the body slows down, it often does not need or process food in the same way it once did. Rather than focusing on how much your loved one is eating, follow their cues and offer food or drinks when they are interested and able to safely have them. If you are concerned about changes in eating, drinking, or swallowing, talk with your loved one's hospice or healthcare team.

They May Spend More Time Sleeping

As energy decreases, your loved one may sleep for much longer periods of time. They may wake for shorter periods, fall asleep during conversations, or seem difficult to wake at times. Their days and nights may also begin to look different than they once did.

Families sometimes feel like they need to keep their loved one awake so they don't “miss” time together. But rest is often what their body needs. You can still sit beside them. Hold their hand. Play their favorite music. Talk to them. Read to them.

Connection doesn't always require a conversation.

Communication May Begin to Change

Some people become quieter and more withdrawn as they approach the end of life. Others may experience periods of confusion or have difficulty following conversations.

You may also hear your loved one talk about people who have already died, say they see or hear someone you cannot see, or speak about needing to “go home” or “leave.”

These experiences can be surprising for families. Rather than immediately correcting or arguing with them, try to listen to what they are expressing. If the experience seems comforting to them, it may not need to be corrected. If they appear frightened, restless, suddenly confused, or distressed, let the hospice or healthcare team know so they can determine whether something else may be contributing.

Your Loved One May Need More Help

As weakness increases, everyday tasks may become harder. Your loved one may need more assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, repositioning, walking, or getting in and out of bed.

This can be an adjustment for everyone involved. Someone who has always been independent may have a difficult time accepting help. Family caregivers may also find themselves taking on more responsibility than they expected. This is also a time when caregiver exhaustion can become very real. You do not have to wait until you are completely overwhelmed to ask for help.

If your loved one is receiving hospice care, talk with the hospice team about what support and equipment may be available. Family, friends, respite support, and an end-of-life doula can also help caregivers feel less alone in carrying the day-to-day responsibilities.

What Can Families Do During This Time?

It is natural to want to know what you should be doing. But supporting someone at the end of life does not always require doing more.

Follow your loved one's cues. Allow them to rest when they need to. Offer food and drinks without forcing them. Help create an environment that feels familiar and comfortable. Sit with them, talk when they want to talk, and allow quiet when they don't. You can also use this time to say the things that matter to you, share memories, play meaningful music, or simply be together. There is no perfect or “right” way to spend this time.

Knowing What to Expect Can Make a Difference

Knowing some of the changes that may happen during the last weeks of life does not make losing someone you love easy. But understanding what the body may be going through can take away some of the fear that comes from wondering whether every new change means something is wrong. As someone moves closer to the final days of life, additional changes may occur. You can read more about Signs Someone May Be Entering the Final Days of Life for information about what families may notice as death becomes closer.

And remember: you do not have to figure everything out on your own. Hospice and other members of your loved one's healthcare team can help address medical concerns and symptom management. An end-of-life doula can provide additional non-medical support through education, caregiver guidance, emotional support, planning, and presence throughout the dying process.

At Blooming Transitions, my goal is not to take over these moments, but to help families feel more informed, supported, and less alone as they move through them.

About the Author

Brittanny Clervil is an end-of-life doula and Licensed Practical Nurse serving the Tampa Bay area through Blooming Transitions. She provides compassionate, non-medical support for individuals facing serious illness, those at the end of life, and the families caring for them. Through education, guidance, and a calming presence, Brittanny helps individuals and families navigate end-of-life with greater understanding, confidence, and support.