 [ Symptoms ] reasons for irregular pulse [ Disease ] i am sorry you are going through this especially during the holidays it is natural for a person to gradually stop eating and drinking over the course of their final days or weeks as the body winds down it no longer needs the sustenance or hydration it required in the past it is hard to watch a loved one stop eating and drinking i know because i have been through it it was hard for me even as a nurse but i hasten to assure you that your loved one is not suffering from this decline in consuming foods and liquids your loved one probably is not feeling hunger or thirst sensations anymore and this is normal however they may become upset or agitated if urged to eat or drink when they do not want to so rest assured your loved one is not suffering during this time the body is performing all the normal and necessary tasks of the dying process as to how long someone can last there is no good answer when a person completely stops taking fluids the end usually is quite near    usually within a few days a person can go without food for a much longer time if you have questions about the dying process please do not hesitate to ask your hospice nurse he or she should be able to answer all your questions and remember the hospice team is there for the family too use them as a highly skilled and knowledgeable support team again i am very sorry you are doing through this i wish you your loved one and your family peace at this stressful time