How often should I turn someone who is dying in bed?
Turning someone who is dying should balance skin protection with comfort, pain, breathlessness and the person's wishes.
Turning someone who is dying should balance skin protection with comfort, pain, breathlessness and the person's wishes. There is no single turning schedule that is right for everyone at the end of life.
Ask the palliative care team, nurse or aged care staff what is best for this person. The plan may change as death gets closer.
General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. It cannot tell you exactly what is happening in one person's situation. If you have concerns about a symptom, medicine, treatment decision or change in someone's condition, contact their doctor, palliative care team, nurse or other treating health professional.
Why turning matters
When someone stays in bed, pressure on the same area can damage skin. The bottom, hips, heels, elbows, shoulders and back of the head can be at risk.
Turning can also help with comfort, breathing, toileting care and changing bedding.
Why turning may need to be gentler near death
Near death, the person may be very weak, sleepy, sore or breathless. Skin can be fragile. Movement may cause pain, agitation or coughing.
In the last hours or days, comfort may matter more than a strict pressure sore prevention routine. This does not mean ignoring skin care. It means choosing the least distressing way to care for the person.
What the team may suggest
The team may suggest:
- small position changes instead of full turns
- pillows to support the body
- heel protectors or pillows under the calves
- a pressure-relieving mattress
- a slide sheet
- timing care after pain medicine if already prescribed
- fewer turns if movement causes distress.
Ask someone to show you the technique. Moving a person in bed can injure both of you if done awkwardly.
Watch the person's response
Pause if the person grimaces, moans, stiffens, becomes breathless, panics, or asks you to stop. Tell the team if turning is causing distress.
If the person is unconscious, still speak to them before moving them. Watch their face, breathing and body for signs of discomfort.
When to get help now
Contact the palliative care team, GP, nurse or aged care staff if turning causes pain, breathlessness, agitation, skin tears, bleeding, pressure sores, or if you cannot move the person safely.
Call 000 if there is a fall, serious injury or sudden life-threatening emergency and no end-of-life plan telling you what to do.
You may also want to read
- Do I need to keep turning someone if moving them causes pain?
- How do I change sheets when someone cannot get out of bed?
- How do I prevent pressure sores when someone is dying?
- What equipment can I get to help care for someone dying at home?