Agitation and Restlessness in the Final Days: Information for patients and carers

Confusion, restlessness and agitation are common symptoms at the end of life. 

Often the cause is due to a combination of factors, and the first question is whether someone is now in their final days.  Agitation and confusion may be a sign that life is coming to an end and the best approach may be to focus on keeping the person calm so that good memories are created.

Do consider whether physical causes of discomfort are contributing such as pain, nausea, constipation, difficulty passing urine, infection, itching.

Your palliative care team can help to establish if there is a cause which can be easily treated or whether this is part of the dying process.

An approach to care:

  • Try non-medication methods such as reassurance and presence of loved ones, familiar surroundings, objects and music
  • Medication such as haloperidol, levopromazine and midazolam are commonly used to help someone feel calmer
  • Medications are started at the lowest doses
  • Deeper sedation may be needed if agitation worsens
  • The intention is to relieve suffering and symptoms, not to hasten death

Recommended Resources

Marie Curie - Agitation in palliative care

Published 25th November 2022

CNWL Anticipatory medicines - a guide for families

Published 1st July 2020

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24 hour Helpline Pall24 for North Brent and Harrow
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24 hour Helpline Pall24 for North Brent and Harrow

T. 03000 200 224

This service was formerly known as Single Point of Access (SPA)

This is a 24 hour 7 days a week helpline providing advice for patients, families and professionals, hosted by St Luke's Hospice for residents of Harrow and North Brent.

Urgent rapid response visits can be made to patients registered with a Harrow GP

 

Harrow Community Palliative Care
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Harrow Community Palliative Care

T. 020 8102 6163

Harrow Community Specialist Palliative Care Team (LNWHT) provides advice and visiting to palliative care patients in Harrow.

They can be contacted Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.

They are based at Honeypot Lane Health Centre, 839 Honeypot Lane, HA7 1AT.

Out of Hours the Pall24 Helpline can be used 3000 200 224

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.1 (DOCX)

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