Eating and drinking at the end of life
Why do people eat and drink less near the end of life?
In the last few weeks or days of life, it’s normal for people to lose interest in eating and drinking. This can worry family and carers, but it’s a natural part of dying. Most people don’t feel hungry or thirsty at this stage. The body is slowing down, and eating or drinking too much can cause discomfort.
It’s important to know that this change is caused by the illness, not because the person is being lazy or refusing food.
What is comfort feeding?
When someone is very unwell or has trouble swallowing (dysphagia), they may cough while eating or sound chesty. This can mean that food or drink might go down the wrong way into the lungs (aspiration), which can be dangerous. Eating and drinking safely is important, but this should be balanced against the enjoyment that food and drink bring. Getting this balance right is a very individual decision. Comfort feeding means offering food and drink to improve quality of life, not for nutrition. The goal is to make the person feel good, not to meet full dietary needs.
When should I offer food and drink?
When should I offer food and drink?
You can offer food and drinks if the person wants them and can safely manage them. Never force them to eat or drink—this can cause distress or harm.
Offer small sips or bites regularly, but stop if the person:
- Is very drowsy
- Doesn’t open their mouth
- Can’t swallow or keep food in their mouth
If you’re unsure, ask us for advice.
Religious, spiritual, and cultural needs
Religious, spiritual, and cultural needs
If the person has religious or cultural wishes about food and drink near the end of life, please let us know so we can support these respectfully.
What about feeding through a tube or drip?
What about feeding through a tube or drip?
In some medical conditions, artificial nutrition or hydration might be considered. But in the final days of life, this usually doesn’t help and may cause more problems, such as:
- More mucus or fluid in the throat or lungs
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Restlessness
- Difficulty breathing
Tips for comfort feeding
Tips for comfort feeding
- Offer small amounts of food and drink throughout the day.
- Choose favourite tastes or foods the person enjoys.
- Make sure they are sitting upright or supported in bed.
- Only feed them when they are fully awake.
- Give them time to swallow before offering more.
- If they cough or seem distressed, stop and try later.
- Provide mouth care every 2 to 4 hours, or more often if needed.
- Clean and moisten the mouth, including teeth, lips, tongue, and cheeks.
- Softer or thickened foods and drinks can be easier to swallow. A Speech and Language Therapist can help with this.
How can Speech and Language Therapy help?
How can Speech and Language Therapy help?
Our Speech and Language Therapists can:
- Assess swallowing and give advice to make eating and drinking easier.
- Recommend safer food and drink textures.
- Help families plan for changes in eating and drinking.
- Connect you with other support services for end-of-life care.
