End-of-Life Mouth Changes What To Expect

End-of-life care can bring unexpected changes, especially in a loved one’s mouth. Blackened or dry tongues and white coatings are common in the final days, and understanding why these changes occur can help ease concerns and prepare families for what to expect.

Simple, gentle steps can make a difference in a loved one’s comfort. Using special sponges, keeping the mouth moist, and focusing on small acts of care provide relief during this deeply personal time. While perfect oral care isn’t necessary, maintaining moisture in the mouth can bring comfort and peace.

For those navigating this journey, these insights offer guidance and tools to care for a loved one with compassion and understanding.

When dealing with any medically related events or medical emergencies, please communicate with your primary health care provider.

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#endoflife #hospice #activelydying

[nannettedillow]

My husband died from end stage renal failure but we kept his mouth moist he never had any real death rattles and looked like he just was asleep when he passed

[rhondafrederick]

When I saw my Mom’s tongue was black it freaked me out. I thought maybe she had bitten it . I asked a DR. Andy she had no answer for it! So thanks for letting me know it’s a common thing.

[sandrawalker]

Such a good vid and explanation. I feel so fortunate I didn’t see any of this as my mum passed. Her mouth was moist, and she looked healthy and beautiful right up the end. But I know this would have brought a lot of comfort had things been any different. You do a sterling job. I think anyone with a terminally ill loved one should be directed to your Chanel.

[marymadigan]

That was like my mothers tongue 2 weeks before she passed 🙏💕 thank you for some great videos nurse Julie 😊

[RefriedBeans]

❤👍 thank u 🙏 again Julie!! Please all - LIKE THUMBS 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍for nurse Julie w all her guidance through the hardest times of our & our loved one’s lives! 👍❤️👍❤️👍❤️

[coyotebait]

Man I wish the hospice nurses would explain this. Would have shown me these green sponges to use. Things I learn from you would save me the nightmares that I have with my husband.

[MomAndBabyCareHazel]

04:31The way you described the challenges of oral care at the end of life, especially concerning conditions like thrush and dry mouth, was very helpful. It’s so important to understand that comfort and small acts of care make a difference, even when a loved one is actively dying. Thank you for this compassionate guide.

[suzieq]

Dad requested that the mouth sponges be dipped in rootbeer during his last couple of days before he passed.

[barbaracilley]

Julie, I walked over to my mother and I was going to use one of those sponges to moisten her mouth. I was alone and I was shocked because what I saw I never expected. My mother’s tongue started flipping like a fish on a dock. It didn’t last but 10-15 seconds and she was gone. She passed right in front of me. Is this normal? I never said anything to anyone. Just writing this brings tears to my eyes.
It was so sad. I knew she died because her breathing stopped but I never heard anyone ever talk about a tongue moving so fast. I lost my mother and only sister to cancer. I was with both when they died. Your videos would have been so helpful. Thank you for making them. I’m sure they are and will help so many people.

[nataliechavis]

Thank you for helping me to understand what was happening with my Mom during her final days

[LoriSitman-li]

Your a Gond send you are a fabulous nurse

[marydotterer]

Biotene spray and gel helps too. The hospital has this stuff we use that’s call mouth moisturizer. It goes on white so you can tell where you put it.

[maeverlylilith]

Nurse Julie, thank you soooo much for all the education you provide. This helps me better understand what I saw as my aunt passed.

[Lnewbury]

This is incredible information Nurse Julie. I didn’t even know this was a thing. Thanks so much.

[romanastrasheim]

At the end of my father in law's life, a nurse put or smeared gliserine in his mouth and on his tongue .... I think it helped a lot for 'dry mouth' ....

[thedrivebygg]

My brother has been given 6-12 months to live so I thought I would start watching some of your videos to learn more about the process. If someone wants to die at home what advice would you give to help make the process as comfortably and stress free as possible? Thanks again and appreciate the videos for what are very untalked about topics in the UK.

[MNBLONDY]

I learned something new! 20 years in nursing and I've never seen this. Thanks Julie for the education!❤

[betsysingh-anand]

I kept mom's little bottles of hospital mouthwash in the fridge and used the cold mouthwash with the tooth sponges. It worked very well.

[juliecairnes]

I kept my mums lips and mouth moist with them sponges x

[SherriWooldridge]

Thank you for sharing this information and the pictures