Working in end-of-life care can be really sad, but it can also have moments that make you think. One hospice nurse shared something she sees a lot in her job with people who are dying: a simple but mysterious action that many patients do just before they pass away.
Katie Duncan, a nurse practitioner and a ‘death care coach’ from Maryland, has spent a lot of time helping people find peace and dignity as they reach the end of their lives. With experience in intensive care units, home hospices, and long-term care places, she has noticed a pattern that she finds both strange and very touching.
In a recent TikTok video, Katie talked about what she calls one of the ‘mystical’ parts of dying: many patients start reaching up, like they are trying to grab something that isn’t there above them.
“In my experience, it’s very common,” she said in the video. “You’ll literally see someone reach up, like they’re trying to hold someone’s hand or touch something in the air.”
Sometimes, this action is followed by what are known as end-of-life visions. “People often say they’re seeing someone, like a loved one, a pet, or even an angel or a bright light,” Katie explained. “Other times, they don’t say anything, but still reach up, as if they can feel a presence.”
Even though there’s no scientific reason for this happening, many people in palliative care think it’s a peaceful part of the transition. Katie pointed out that patients usually don’t seem to be in distress when this occurs. “If anything, they seem comforted,” she said. “These visions, no matter where they come from, often give people a deep sense of calm.
