Based on a study conducted by the Stanford School of Medicine, 80% of Americans wish they could die at home. Unfortunately, the statistics also show that only a small percentage of those 80% will actually manage to do it; and according to the same study, 60% of people die in an acute care hospital, 20% in nursing homes, and only 20% at home.
If somebody dies at home unexpectedly and they are alone, it is called an unattended death. Because body decomposition begins as soon as the person dies, it is imperative to be aware of the potential health hazards that come with finding a dead body in a residence.
Bodies that aren’t discovered for days can quickly decompose, especially in warm climates, causing bodily fluid spillage that can carry bloodborne pathogens and other harmful diseases (such as Hepatitis B and C, HIV, MRSA and more). Even if you knew the departed well and they were not knowingly infected, they could still be a disease carrier and unaware of it, so treating the scene as a biohazard is of utmost importance.
Someone dying at home in hospice requires vastly different procedures than when a death occurs in a hospital. These are some of the more immediate actions and decisions to be made when a person dies at home:
These are some of the more urgent items to be taken care of. Once they have been addressed, there will be additional actions to be taken including:
In the months following the death, other small and large matters will arise and will need to be taken care of as well.
You don’t have to go through tragedy alone. For over 20 years, Aftermath Services has provided biohazard cleanup services to help grieving families and communities get on the road to recovery. Our dispatch centers are located nationwide so they can be to you within a few hours of your call.
Call (877) 701-5930
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