What is the Taste for Pleasure?
Hunger and thirst naturally decrease at the end of life, and this is a normal process. When it becomes too difficult for a person to eat or drink any amount of food or fluid – even a small spoonful, it is still possible for them to have taste for pleasure. This means allowing End of Life patients to have mouth care with their favourite flavour drink such as juice, tea, lemonade or even alcohol. A green untreated sponge swab or soft toothbrush can be dipped into the patient’s favourite flavour to provide enjoyment and ensure moisture to the mouth. This will benefit the patient by providing a pleasant taste and comfortable mouth until the end of life.
Why is this important?
Around 80% of hospital patients will have swallowing difficulties in the last 72 hours of life. This will help change the culture of people dying whilst being Nil By Mouth (NBM), especially when eating and drinking are not possible due to being less responsive. We only get one chance to get it right to improve people’s experience of care during the end of their life.
Who is it for?
It is for patients who are on End-of-Life care and are in their last days or hours of life.
How is it done?
Ensure good oral hygiene is established before giving taste for pleasure. Once the mouth is clean, perform mouth care again but this time using their favourite flavour.
A green untreated sponge swab or soft toothbrush can be dipped in the patient’s favourite flavour, the excess shaken off, and then this will be used around the patient’s lips and then inside the mouth so they can taste the flavour. This will also moisten their palate.
Because this is just a taste, no thickener is needed in those patients who would usually require it.
Some foods such as chocolate (for example, chocolate buttons), ice cream/lollies can also be considered. However, please seek advice from your speech and language therapist if appropriate.
Family/friends can tell staff what’s important to their loved one and what their favourite flavours are. They can be shown how to support taste for pleasure and be part of this important aspect of mouth care.
To ensure safe and kind care at end of life, taste for pleasure should be enjoyable and not harmful or uncomfortable. If it becomes unpleasurable stop and seek advice if required.
The Trust cannot provide alcohol. However, family / friends can bring it in if safe and appropriate to do so. Please discuss with the ward staff.
The taste for Pleasure Process
Ensure the mouth is sufficiently clean
Using a green untreated sponge swab or soft toothbrush, dip this into a cup of the patient's favourite flavour.
Tap away excess fluid.
Apply to the patient's lips and then tongue so they can taste the flavour.
Repeat as often as required/ appropriate.
