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When swallowing changes

Illustrated Story B36, with a text transcript.

Includes end-of-life care

Read story B36: When swallowing changes (image and text)
Six-panel illustrated story, When swallowing changes. Michael, an older white man in a hospice, cannot reliably swallow tablets. His daughter asks about his regular medicines. Staff review the full list and explain that suddenly stopping some medicines can cause withdrawal. The team plans care around his needs and asks the family to report new confusion or distress. No dose or method of giving medicine is shown. Footer: Delirium care includes a plan for regular medicines.

When swallowing becomes difficult near the end of life, regular medicines need review. Simply leaving them out may cause problems. Some, including benzodiazepines taken regularly for anxiety or sleep, can cause dangerous symptoms if stopped suddenly.

Ask the hospice team, or the team helping with comfort and symptoms, what the plan is. They can decide which medicines remain useful and how they should be managed. Do not crush, change or stop tablets without advice. Report new confusion or distress promptly.

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Story text

  1. Panel 1. Michael can no longer swallow tablets reliably.

  2. Panel 2.

    • Claire: What happens to the medicines he takes every day?

  3. Panel 3.

    • Nurse: We need to check the whole list.

  4. Panel 4.

    • Doctor: Stopping some medicines suddenly can cause withdrawal.

  5. Panel 5. The team plans medicines around his current needs.

  6. Panel 6.

    • Nurse: Tell us promptly about any new confusion or distress.

Bottom band. Delirium care includes a plan for regular medicines.

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