Caregiver Care Guide - Seizures

A caregiver's guide to helping a loved one under hospice care with the symptoms of seizures.

What are some Symptoms of a Seizure?

• Uncontrolled jerking of parts of the body or of the whole body

• Staring “off into space” with inability to respond

• Stiffening or rigidity of the body

• Loss of consciousness which can lead to loss of bladder and bowel control

What should I do if someone is having a Seizure?

• Stay with the person and try to stay calm.

• If able, try to time the seizure; most seizures resolve in < 2 minutes

• Make sure that the environment is safe - move objects which could cause the person harm

• Do not try to restrain the person if he/she is jerking uncontrollably

• Do not try to put anything inside the mouth as this can cause injury

• Turn the person on his/her side after the seizure if unresponsive (many people will be sleepy or unresponsive after a seizure)

• Wait to give anything that the person would need to swallow until he/she is fully awake

What can increase the risk of having a Seizure?

• Physical stress on the body such as not sleeping, fever, diarrhea or vomiting

• Emotional stress

• Missing doses of medications used to treat or prevent a seizure

• Use of some medications, herbal supplements or alcohol and illegal drugs

• Tell your hospice team all medications/supplements being taken

How are Seizures Treated?

• Medications taken on a regular basis can reduce the risk of having seizures

• Medications can also be given rectally or in the nose to help stop a seizure once it starts.

Contact your hospice team as soon as possible when a Seizure occurs.

To view or download a hardcopy of the "Caregiver Care Guide: Seizures," click the download button below.

Caregiver Care Guides_2021_Seizures.pdf

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