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Input requested for oxygen use on very late stage dementia

Vitruvius
Vitruvius Member Posts: 458
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in Supporting Those Who Have Lost Someone

I’m sorry if this question is inappropriate for this forum but it asks a question about very end stage dementia and I thought those her might be more knowledgeable and willing to provide some insight. I has also posted this question on the spousal caregiver forum.

My DW has been in Stage 7f for about a year. She is minimally conscious and I am told that her cognition at this point consists mainly of core brain stem functions, her only obvious action is a primitive feeding response. She makes no other movements or responses to any outside activity. She has been starting to exhibit signs of aspiration and now anything she eats or drinks must be thickened to the consistency of honey.

Last week my DW started to exhibit very purple hands and toes. Hospice has determined she needs to begin receiving oxygen continuously. They described this as something to provide her with comfort, not rehabilitation in any way.

I am interested in any insight from anyone who’s LO received oxygen solely for very, very late stage dementia. I know at my DW’s MCF a there are a few are receiving oxygen but for other comorbidities not solely for dementia related decline. Those individuals are obviously ill, stage 6 or 7, with whatever condition they are receiving the oxygen for, but they are not someone in Stage 7f with no other comorbidities. 

Is this needlessly extending her abject misery, or is it truly providing end stage comfort care? Any comments are welcome. 

Comments

  • JulietteBee
    JulietteBee Member Posts: 400
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    edited November 2025

    My answer is the same here, as there. Professionally speaking, in your wife's case, oxygen is a comfort measure, not a therapeutic one. It will NOT extend her life.

    Trust me, you will absolutely regret not affording it to her if you are at her bedside, watching her die from air hunger. It is a horrible death to passively observe, and a horrible death to inflict on a loved one…ijs

  • fmb
    fmb Member Posts: 589
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    My husband received oxygen for only the last 5 days of his life. He did have other comorbidities, but by that point all body systems were failing. His hospice team said that it was for comfort care only. It kept him from having to gasp for air, making him more comfortable. It did not extend his life.

  • howhale
    howhale Member Posts: 229
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    Anything and everything hospice can recommend at this stage let them apply to ensure the comfort of your loved one. Make their last days, hours, minutes as peaceful as possible and it will allow your memories afterwards of those final moments as good as can be.

  • CindiEC
    CindiEC Member Posts: 35
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    My husband was on oxygen for the three days before he died. It seemed to help him feel more comfortable.

  • PlentyQuiet
    PlentyQuiet Member Posts: 145
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    some patients do not tolerate having the cannula, it can dry out the nose even with a humidifier. Doubtful that will be the case with your DW, but should it happen morphine is used to treat air hunger. Do whatever you must to keep her comfortable and ease her passing.

  • Buggsroo
    Buggsroo Member Posts: 576
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    my husband was on oxygen for the last seven days of his life. He never regained consciousness but I believe they kept him comfortable. It did not prolong his life but he wasn’t gasping for air.

  • howhale
    howhale Member Posts: 229
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    My dear wife fortunately never struggled with difficulty to breath but hospice used morphine readily in her last week to ensure she never suffered. The nurses trained me in how to apply it properly with instructions to use it freely to ensure her comfort. She was never conscious that last week but rested calmly. On one occasion when a hospice nurse was present she seemed uncomfortable, gurgling in her throat and the nurse adjusted the position of her head to relieve the sounds. Once the nurse found the position, each time he released her head the sound reappeared. That nurse stood at the head of her bedside for over 4 hours straight, without a break, to hold her head to ensure her comfort until she was stable. Hospice nurses are angels during these times. Morphine was a blessing also for her comfort.

  • GothicGremlin
    GothicGremlin Member Posts: 1,381
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    I have huge respect for hospice nurses. They truly are angels.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more

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