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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
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V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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My friend is dying. He's not eaten anything for about three weeks yet his bowels make gurgling noises. Is this normal when someone goes that long without eating? He's only had about a cup of fluids in that time (soy milk).
An empty gut makes a lot of noise. And much of what we eliminate is bacteria, not food waste. We can EASILY live one month with no food intake but not without repercussions for kidney, etc. Without fluid and food we usually go only about 10 days, but that means NO fluid whatsoever, even sips. So yes, this may go on well over one month, perhaps two months. All dependent on age, condition, etc.
Thank you for responding. I mean is it normal to still have gut noises after so long without eating? Don't they usually slow down or stop? It sounds like his stomach is growling, but says he has no appetite. Weird.
Everyone's dying process is different. When my husband was in his 6 week dying process, he didn't eat anything for 41 days and didn't have any drink for over 25 days. His hospice nurse told me that he had broke their record for going that long without any food, as their previous record was a man who went 5 weeks, so you can see, no 2 dying processes are the same. So just enjoy whatever time you have left with your friend, and make sure you leave nothing left unsaid.
I've read that on several of your posts. That must have been excruciating for him.
I appreciate your answer but what I'm asking is, is it normal for the bowels to continue to make noise if someone isn't eating? I am really just curious. I suppose I could just Google it.
Gut noises are indicative of parasympathetic nervous system engagement (rest and digest). That means there is not fight or flight hormones releasing, you can think of it as the nervous system relaxing rather than panicking.
It is possible he is wasting, that is, parts of the body are breaking down, producing metabolic byproducts, which are processed by the gut.
The gut produces many neurotransmitters, hormones, and secretions regardless of food intake, if he is still producing urine, certainly the gut is processing fluids for kidney processes.
My answer may not have correct medical terminology, I am not an expert on humans, this same issue has occurred with animals I have treated with renal failure.
Some creatures even appear to be acting "normal" towards the end, as they waste away, some continue urination, some bloat with toxins, each creature is individual.
I am glad your friend has a friend. The subjects surrounding dying can be a real trigger here, of course, sorry you were attacked right out of the gate.
Yes! I asked my mum's nurse about that (and poop) just the other day. She didn't go into much detail other than to say the digestive process is still active and eliminating even without food.
If you have ever had to fast from food for an extended period of time--your stomach will growl and grumble a lot. We fast the first Sunday of every month in my religion and sometimes it's almost funny--the tummies grumbling away. We're certainly not starving, but still.
Solid food you can live without. Fluids? No. It does seem like forever when someone is in this stage. I hope they have palliative/Hospice care for him so he is not in active pain.
Nakeeta….. I’m sorry you received several very snarky remarks. It’s very apparent that you care for your friend very much. The human body is interesting and no two are alike. When my husband was in the active dying process, he had pancreatic cancer, all he did for the last 2 weeks is vomit black fluid. And he still had bowel sounds even though he was not eating or drinking. We are each so different. I’m sorry you’re losing your friend. Just as others have said, when you visit you can talk of all the good times y’all had together and let him know how much the friendship has meant to you through the years. Liz
Oh I'm so sorry! That must have been horrific. Your poor dear husband. ☹️
Thank you for your kind words. I love my friend very much and always will. He died November 4th. I'm actually happy for him that he's free. I've been grieving so long it feels strange to feel relieved for him.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
So just enjoy whatever time you have left with your friend, and make sure you leave nothing left unsaid.
I appreciate your answer but what I'm asking is, is it normal for the bowels to continue to make noise if someone isn't eating? I am really just curious. I suppose I could just Google it.
Yes, it's very depressing. He's been my friend since elementary school.
Thanks for your input.
It is possible he is wasting, that is, parts of the body are breaking down, producing metabolic byproducts, which are processed by the gut.
The gut produces many neurotransmitters, hormones, and secretions regardless of food intake, if he is still producing urine, certainly the gut is processing fluids for kidney processes.
My answer may not have correct medical terminology, I am not an expert on humans, this same issue has occurred with animals I have treated with renal failure.
Some creatures even appear to be acting "normal" towards the end, as they waste away, some continue urination, some bloat with toxins, each creature is individual.
I am glad your friend has a friend. The subjects surrounding dying can be a real trigger here, of course, sorry you were attacked right out of the gate.
Solid food you can live without. Fluids? No. It does seem like forever when someone is in this stage. I hope they have palliative/Hospice care for him so he is not in active pain.
Thank you for your kind words. I love my friend very much and always will. He died November 4th. I'm actually happy for him that he's free. I've been grieving so long it feels strange to feel relieved for him.