As a live-in carer this is always a shock even when we expect it. To a new live-in carer, it can be a frightening thought having your client pass away while you are working there. Unfortunately, these things do happen, and it is a good question to ask as to what exactly you should do if it happens while you are there.
Even before your client is near to death, you should make enquiries as to whether there is a ‘Do not attempt resuscitation’ form in the house. This is also known as the DNAR form. It should be kept in a place that every carer knows and where it can be produced at a moment’s notice.
So, what to do it your client passes away?
If your client, while being old, is still in relatively good health, then the death may be unexpected. If this is the case, you should call 999 right away. You will also have to tell them that there is a DNAR form in place. They will tell you what to do, which in this case with the DNAR in place, will possibly not be much.
What is important though is that you do not touch anything in the room – at all. If it is decided that the death is ‘unnatural’ and your client has not seen a doctor in the previous 14 days, then they will contact the coroner who may order a post-mortem.
‘Unnatural’ does not mean anything sinister in this instance. What it means is that the death is unexpected, and people expected your client would live a little longer.
If the death was expected (such as with a client who has a terminal illness) and your client was seen by the GP within the previous two weeks you should call the doctor who will come around and certify that the person is deceased and issue a death certificate. Normally by this time the family will either be there or on the way.
Once the doctor has certified the death then then next step is to arrange for the funeral director to collect the body. Normally by this time, the family will be there to do this.
Who should you call first?
This is always a debatable question because unless there is a DNAR form in place, there is no desperate urgency to notify the GP, and no need to call 999 to resuscitate. The doctor’s office will not be open before 9am anyway and then you may still have to wait to speak to the doctor.
This would be a good time to call the family and let them know what has transpired and what you are doing. Be led by what they suggest and if they volunteer to call the doctor then let them do that.
If the death has occurred in the night and you find your client in the morning, then certainly call the family first to let them know, and then call the doctor to arrange a visit.
What about clients who donate their organs?
With any booking like this you will be told about their wishes. There should also be something displayed somewhere prominent. There will be a telephone number for you to call and inform that your client has passed away. Normally they will be the first people to call and often the only people who will be involved. They will want to remove the body as soon as possible and will not waste time in doing so.
In the perfect world it seems right and fair that the family be the first you should contact if your client has passed away unexpectedly. If death is expected, then family will most likely already be there and they will start the process.
To sum up
In the case of ‘unnatural’ death, you are not to touch anything at all. You should call 999 and follow their advice. Be sure to have the DNAR form at hand for when they arrive.
If there is no DNAR form completed then you will be told to start CPR on your client and to continue until the ambulance arrives, whether you believe they are dead or not. This will also happen with a natural death and no DNAR in place.
In the case of a natural death, and when there is a DNAR in place, you should just call the doctor and ask him to certify the death.
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