Expert: Margot RN BScN CGN - 10/28/2009

Question
My 92 year old grandmother is full of cancer.  Right now she is in a hospice home.  She hasn't opened her eyes.  She is receiving morphine for the pain but that is it.  She has had nothing to eat or drink since Saturday morning when she ate a large meal, today is Wednesday.  I was wondering how long a person can live without food or water.

Answer
Hello Pennie,

I am sorry to read about your Grandmother.  Generally someone in hospice has been assessed to have less than three months to live but if she's not opening her eyes or eating than obviously the en is near.  There is no accurate formula as there are so many factors that affect different people's prognosis (previous health history, genetics, etc ...).

Usually once people stop eating they don't generally live more than a week, and once they stop drinking they usually slip away within 2-3 days (assuming they aren't getting fluids from other sources like IV, ice chips, etc). Each person’s body moves at their own speed, some slip away quickly while other linger for months with the same disease; the important thing is to support the patient to be comfortable s their passing is pain-free.

I hope her passing is peaceful.
My thoughts are with you al during this difficult time,
Margot