From: Dying at home in Belgium: a descriptive GP interview study
Variable†| N = 205 | % |
---|---|---|
Functional status between the 2nd and 3rd month before death†| ||
   Fully active (able to carry on all pre-disease performance without restriction) | 16 | 8 |
   Limited functioning (Restricted in physically strenuous activity but ambulatory and able to carry out work of a light or sedentary nature) | 37 | 18 |
   Ambulant (capable of all self care but unable to carry out any work activities. Up and about more than 50% of waking hours) | 38 | 18 |
   Limited in self care (Capable of only limited self care, confined to bed or chair more than 50% of waking hours) | 64 | 31 |
   Fully invalid (Completely disabled. Cannot carry on any self care. Totally confined to bed or chair) | 49 | 24 |
Functional status in the last month of life (last week excluded) ‡ | ||
   Fully active | 4 | 2 |
   Limited functioning | 10 | 5 |
   Ambulant | 22 | 11 |
   Limited in self care | 72 | 35 |
   Fully invalid | 97 | 47 |
Functional status in the last week of life†| ||
   Fully active | 0 | 0 |
   Limited functioning | 2 | 1 |
   Ambulant | 5 | 2 |
   Limited in self care | 23 | 11 |
   Fully invalid | 175 | 86 |
Level of consciousness during the last week of life | ||
   Never unconscious during the last week of life | 95 | 46 |
   Unconscious one or more hours before death | 43 | 21 |
   Unconscious one or more days before death | 59 | 29 |
   Unconscious during the whole last week before death | 7 | 3 |
If unconscious for one or more days before death | Â | Â |
More than three days before death | 14 | 22 |
On the three last days of life | 16 | 25 |
On the two last days of life | 14 | 22 |
On the last day of life | 21 | 31 |
Able to communicate during the last week of life§ | ||
   Without limitations | 81 | 40 |
   With limitations | 102 | 50 |
   Not at all | 19 | 10 |
Able to make decisions during the last week of life§ | ||
   Yes | 115 | 57 |
   Sometimes | 23 | 11 |
   No | 65 | 32 |