Does anyone have any tips about how to keep a deceased patient's mouth closed, at least long enough for the family to see them? It reminds me of a silent death scream, and I know I'd rather not see MY loved one looking that way.

Morbid answer:

Ive rolled up a towel and propped it closed until they stiffen up just a bit. Depends on how much time you have tho....

it's been my experience that it doesn't bother the family as much as you might think. if you lay the head of the bed back, it doesn't appear as wide open. however, short of bandaging it closed, i haven't come across any tried and true method. if family does ask, i make an attempt but i also explain to them that it's a natural thing. that's usually all they want to hear.

Morbid answer:

Ive rolled up a towel and propped it closed until they stiffen up just a bit. Depends on how much time you have tho....

I've seen this done as well. When I was a CNA, we would do a similar thing after we wrapped the body in a shroud. Seemed to work.

The towel's a common tool but it usually doesn't keep close the mouth all the way, and can be more distressing than the mouth gaping open.

After postmortem care is done, I'll usually roll up a washcloth and gently tuck it under the chin to close the mouth as much as possible, then pull the covers up to the jawline. It makes the person look a little more natural, I think, than either mechanically closing the mouth or letting it gape wide open.

Put up the back of the bed so the head might go forward a bit. It makes them seem to be asleep.. If dentures are available, if they have them, put them back in as best as you can. This might help with the void in the mouth.

you can use denture adhesive on the teeth to keep the mouth closed--a mortician once suggested this--he said it keeps the jaw in a more normal alignment than can what be achieved by using a rolled up towel. I have yet to try it though... we never seem to have dentugrip when I need it! :)

I like to suggest that they wait and view the deceased in the funeral home instead of the nursing home. In ours we have very few private rooms so the roommates are subjected to the bedside wake and I just hate it...But that's just me...

my experience has been that families tend to freak more, when they see the deceased w/their eyes open.

an opened mouth doesn't elicit much of a reaction...

maybe a question on why it's opened.

leslie

you can use denture adhesive on the teeth to keep the mouth closed--a mortician once suggested this--he said it keeps the jaw in a more normal alignment than can what be achieved by using a rolled up towel. I have yet to try it though... we never seem to have dentugrip when I need it! :)

Nice idea! I will have to see if we carry this on the floor.

Morbid answer:

Ive rolled up a towel and propped it closed until they stiffen up just a bit. Depends on how much time you have tho....

This is what I was taught when I did a "death and dying" course in Aged Care.

This technique has worked for me every time:

Roll up a towel or wash cloth and put it under the pts occipital protuberance....then put a rolled up towel/wash cloth under the chin. The towel at the back of the head tips the chin to the chest and closes it better. The only time it didnt work for me was with a pt who had a really wierd facial structure....almost no chin or jaw line.