Latest news with #DyingMatters
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Doctor warns 'death will come soon' to anyone spotting one specific symptom
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A specialist in palliative care, Kathryn Mannix, has offered a powerful perspective on death, providing insights into what may be a prominent sign that someone is nearing their final moments. Dr Mannix, who merges her expertise as a clinician and author with her advocacy work for Hospice UK, promotes an open conversation about dying, calling it 'a natural process'. Dr Kathryn, a key figure in Hospice UK's Dying Matters campaign and contributor to the eye-opening BBC piece 'Dying is not as bad as you think', advocates candid discussions about mortality across different platforms. During such conversations, she often points to particular signs indicating when a patient may be approaching the end of their life. Urging for a rediscovery of 'the wisdom' in discussing the last phases of life, Dr Kathryn aims to break down the stigmas surrounding death. READ MORE - Kate Middleton has the same breakfast every day to keep herself feeling healthy READ MORE - ITV Good Morning Britain star reveals painful health battle live on air The Express reports on Dying Matters, an initiative by Hospice UK which strives to produce educational materials and encourages a culture where talks of death, bereavement, and the dying process are standardised. Hospice UK has released a video with Dr Kathryn which sheds light on a key indicator of impending death, reports the Mirror. Dr Kathryn has shared her view that 'dying is probably not as bad as you're expecting', offering reassurance and guidance regarding the dying process. She details this in the Hospice UK video, explaining: "As time goes by people sleep more, and they're awake less. "Instead of just being asleep, this person has temporarily become unconscious, we can't wake them up." Dr. Kathryn described the moment of passing as follows: "At the very end of somebody's life, there will be a period of shallow breathing and then one out breath that just isn't followed by another in breath." She explained that this marks the transition from consciousness to a comatose state, rather than simply sleep. The physician also addressed the 'death rattle', a phenomenon that often precedes the final breath. She clarified that this sound is an indicator of profound tranquillity as the individual approaches death. Dr. Kathryn stressed that the 'death rattle' should not be viewed negatively, but rather as a serene aspect of the dying process. She explained that the rattling noise occurs when the person becomes completely unconscious and peaceful, as they continue to breathe but lose the ability to clear their throat. According to Dr. Kathryn, the accumulation of mucus and saliva in the back of the throat causes the characteristic rattling noise as the individual breathes. She described the final breath as potentially 'so gentle' that loved ones present may not immediately realise the person has passed away. Dr. Kathryn highlighted the importance of understanding and appreciating this natural part of life, as well as comforting one another in times of bereavement. Dr Kathryn voiced her desire for society to recognise and accept the inherent process of dying – a common characteristic shared amongst all humanity.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I'm a doctor and death will come soon if you spot this symptom'
Dr Kathryn Mannix, a palliative care doctor, has called for society to break the taboo around death and says that dying is a 'natural process' that can be 'reclaimed' A palliative care specialist has shed light on a telltale sign that indicates someone is nearing death, while also suggesting that dying may not be as dreadful as we fear. Kathryn Mannix, a doctor, writer, and advocate for Hospice UK, is encouraging a more open dialogue about the topic, describing death as a 'natural process'. Dr Kathryn has been actively involved in the Dying Matters campaign by Hospice UK and contributed to a BBC feature titled 'Dying is not as bad as you think'. She has frequently spoken about mortality across various platforms, pinpointing a specific indicator that suggests a patient's time is drawing near. Dr Kathryn is calling for a revival of 'the wisdom' surrounding discussions on death and dying, aiming to dismantle the taboos associated with the end of life. The Dying Matters initiative by Hospice UK is dedicated to providing content and resources that foster an environment where conversations about death, dying, and bereavement are normalised, reports the Express. A video featuring Dr Kathryn's insights and guidance has been circulated by Hospice UK, highlighting the primary sign that death is imminent. Dr Kathryn has expressed her belief that 'dying is probably not as bad as you're expecting'. In the footage shared by Hospice UK, she explains: "As time goes by people sleep more, and they're awake less. "Instead of just being asleep, this person has temporarily become unconscious, we can't wake them up. "At the very end of somebody's life, there will be a period of shallow breathing and then one out breath that just isn't followed by another in breath." The physician notes this as the point where the patient transitions from consciousness into a comatose state rather than merely sleeping. She points to the 'death rattle' phenomenon, clarifying that it is an indicator of someone being profoundly tranquil as they approach death's threshold. The 'death rattle', as Dr Kathyrn elucidated, generally precedes the final breath that a person takes. She imparted the notion that the 'death rattle' should not be seen negatively but accepted as an element of the serene passage of dying. Dr Kathryn illustrated that the rattling noise is a consequence of someone plunging into total unconsciousness and profound peacefulness. According to her, at this juncture, the individual continues to breathe but loses the ability to clear their throat as they drift towards unconsciousness. The accumulation of mucus and saliva in the back of the throat of those nearing life's end causes the characteristic rattling noise as they breathe. Dr Kathryn portrayed the last breath as potentially 'so gentle' that loved ones present might not grasp immediately that the individual has passed away. She emphasised that appreciating this intrinsic part of life, as well as comforting one another in times of bereavement, should be viewed as a cause for recognition. Dr Kathryn expressed her wish for society to acknowledge and embrace the innate process of dying – a universal trait shared amongst all humanity.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
5 vital but difficult questions to ask family members
Next week is Dying Matters week (5 May). You'd be forgiven if this wasn't something you planned to celebrate. Nobody likes to think about death — so it's a hard sell to get people to spend a week talking about it. However, whether we like or not, this is something that's going to affect us all. If we don't have key conversations about this with older members of the family, it will make life even more difficult when they pass away. There are five questions we need to know the answers too, and if we don't, this is a sensible time to start having those difficult conversations. This is a legal arrangement, letting them nominate someone to make decisions for them if they eventually lack the mental capacity. Read more: Ignoring this form could delay pension inheritance and risk 40% tax There are two types of lasting power of attorney (LPA) — one will enable someone to make medical choices for them and the other will let someone handle their property and finances. It means someone they trust can step in if they're unable to stay on top of the day-to-day finances, or if someone needs to use their assets to help pay for care. Two thirds of Brits have no will, and it can cause serious financial problems for those they leave behind. If they die without one (which is known as dying intestate) the estate is divided according to specific rules, rather than how they might want. If they're not married, the rules can be particularly harsh, because a partner may inherit nothing — the estate will pass to children, parents and siblings, in that order. Even if they're married, their spouse doesn't inherit everything, because if they have children, they may be entitled to some of the estate too. Once they've made a will, they need to keep it up to date. If their circumstances change it needs to reflect their new situation. It's worth them taking steps now to take some of the pain out of the "sadmin" after their death. Most people will build up a number of pensions, ISAs and savings accounts, during their lifetime, so they can consider consolidating them where possible, closing old current accounts, and bringing things together. They need to be careful not to give up any valuable benefits, but this process not only saves extra admin for their loved ones, but can make their own financial life much easier to manage as they go along too. Then they need to make a list of every account, and keep it alongside their will and lasting power of attorney, so their loved ones know where to find everything. The huge potential costs mean they need to think things through. They might have assumed their family will care for them when the time comes, but if this isn't practical, it's worth having the conversation sooner rather than later. Read more: Home renovation mistakes and how to avoid them If they might need formal care, charges of £1,500 to £2,000 a week are not uncommon. It means they need to factor in the potential costs when considering what to do with their assets, especially when they're thinking about making gifts to family, so they don't give away too much too soon. There's a good chance many people will need to use the equity in the family home, so they may want to discuss what they want their family to do with it in advance — whether it's renting it (although you need to consider the risks and costs), selling it, using equity release, or entering into a deferred payment agreement with the local authority (which means care home costs roll up and are paid when the property is sold). The right solution will be different for everyone, but they need to consider the options carefully. It can be difficult to pitch this question, because there's a fine line between being helpful and seeming greedy. However, with inheritance tax thresholds frozen, house prices so high, and new rules set to bring pensions into the mix, they might end up with a tax bill that's worth considering. The vast majority of people will be protected by the nil rate bands of £325,000 and £175,000 for property left to children or grandchildren. If they're married and pass everything to their spouse, then their nil rate bands will pass too, so £1m is tax free on the second death. Read more: How to make up to £175 by switching bank accounts However, it's worth them considering how much their estate might be worth, and whether tax could be an issue. They shouldn't feel forced to give away assets they can't afford, but if they're set to bust the nil rate band there are gifting allowances that can help. They can give away up to £3,000 a year, plus wedding gifts and gifts from surplus income that pass out of their estate immediately for inheritance tax purposes. They can also leave bigger gifts and as long as they live for another seven years these will also fall out of their estate. If they have younger family members who are struggling to take key steps with their finances — like buying a house or retiring — a gift could make a world of difference and ease the tax burden too. Read more: Major lenders bring back under-4% mortgages amid interest rate cut hopes How higher house prices are impacting young people's finances Why Trump's tariff turmoil should not sway pensionersundefined Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'Dying Matters' chats to be held in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
A series of events will be held to encourage people to talk about death, dying and Matters Awareness Week, from 5 to 11 May, aims to open up conversations around the oft-taboo events in locations around northern Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire will bring together staff from hospitals, hospices, charities, solicitors and the funeral Redhead, who chairs the Dying Matters group in North Lincolnshire, said: "Honest, timely discussions about death and dying are so important, as this can aid in ensuring the person's dying wishes are respected and carried out to meet their individual needs at the end of their life." People are being invited to meet the professionals for a chat at the following events:Tuesday, Grimsby hospital, main restaurant, 11:00 to13:30 Hull Royal Infirmary main foyer, 10:00 to 14:00. Wednesday, Living Later Life Well project, Trinity Methodist Church, Barton-upon-Humber, 10:30 to 12:00. Wednesday, Health Bus, Brigg Garden Centre, 09:00 to 15:00. Wednesday, Queens Centre, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, 10:00 to 14:00. Thursday, Brigg Market, 08:30 to 14:00. Friday 9 May, Scunthorpe Market, 09:00 to 15:00. Friday 16 May, Freeman Street Market, Grimsby, 09:00 to 15: Wray, a matron for end-of-life care at Hull's hospitals NHS trust, said: "By opening up honest, compassionate conversations and respecting cultural differences, we can all play a part in ensuring dying well is something everyone has the chance to do – with dignity, comfort, and choice."Information about organisations that offer support with bereavement and end-of-life care can be found on the BBC's Action Line page. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
5 vital but difficult questions to ask family members
Next week is Dying Matters week (5 May). You'd be forgiven if this wasn't something you planned to celebrate. Nobody likes to think about death — so it's a hard sell to get people to spend a week talking about it. However, whether we like or not, this is something that's going to affect us all. If we don't have key conversations about this with older members of the family, it will make life even more difficult when they pass away. There are five questions we need to know the answers too, and if we don't, this is a sensible time to start having those difficult conversations. This is a legal arrangement, letting them nominate someone to make decisions for them if they eventually lack the mental capacity. Read more: Ignoring this form could delay pension inheritance and risk 40% tax There are two types of lasting power of attorney (LPA) — one will enable someone to make medical choices for them and the other will let someone handle their property and finances. It means someone they trust can step in if they're unable to stay on top of the day-to-day finances, or if someone needs to use their assets to help pay for care. Two thirds of Brits have no will, and it can cause serious financial problems for those they leave behind. If they die without one (which is known as dying intestate) the estate is divided according to specific rules, rather than how they might want. If they're not married, the rules can be particularly harsh, because a partner may inherit nothing — the estate will pass to children, parents and siblings, in that order. Even if they're married, their spouse doesn't inherit everything, because if they have children, they may be entitled to some of the estate too. Once they've made a will, they need to keep it up to date. If their circumstances change it needs to reflect their new situation. It's worth them taking steps now to take some of the pain out of the "sadmin" after their death. Most people will build up a number of pensions, ISAs and savings accounts, during their lifetime, so they can consider consolidating them where possible, closing old current accounts, and bringing things together. They need to be careful not to give up any valuable benefits, but this process not only saves extra admin for their loved ones, but can make their own financial life much easier to manage as they go along too. Then they need to make a list of every account, and keep it alongside their will and lasting power of attorney, so their loved ones know where to find everything. The huge potential costs mean they need to think things through. They might have assumed their family will care for them when the time comes, but if this isn't practical, it's worth having the conversation sooner rather than later. Read more: Home renovation mistakes and how to avoid them If they might need formal care, charges of £1,500 to £2,000 a week are not uncommon. It means they need to factor in the potential costs when considering what to do with their assets, especially when they're thinking about making gifts to family, so they don't give away too much too soon. There's a good chance many people will need to use the equity in the family home, so they may want to discuss what they want their family to do with it in advance — whether it's renting it (although you need to consider the risks and costs), selling it, using equity release, or entering into a deferred payment agreement with the local authority (which means care home costs roll up and are paid when the property is sold). The right solution will be different for everyone, but they need to consider the options carefully. It can be difficult to pitch this question, because there's a fine line between being helpful and seeming greedy. However, with inheritance tax thresholds frozen, house prices so high, and new rules set to bring pensions into the mix, they might end up with a tax bill that's worth considering. The vast majority of people will be protected by the nil rate bands of £325,000 and £175,000 for property left to children or grandchildren. If they're married and pass everything to their spouse, then their nil rate bands will pass too, so £1m is tax free on the second death. Read more: How to make up to £175 by switching bank accounts However, it's worth them considering how much their estate might be worth, and whether tax could be an issue. They shouldn't feel forced to give away assets they can't afford, but if they're set to bust the nil rate band there are gifting allowances that can help. They can give away up to £3,000 a year, plus wedding gifts and gifts from surplus income that pass out of their estate immediately for inheritance tax purposes. They can also leave bigger gifts and as long as they live for another seven years these will also fall out of their estate. If they have younger family members who are struggling to take key steps with their finances — like buying a house or retiring — a gift could make a world of difference and ease the tax burden too. Read more: Major lenders bring back under-4% mortgages amid interest rate cut hopes How higher house prices are impacting young people's finances Why Trump's tariff turmoil should not sway pensionersundefined Sign in to access your portfolio
