DEATH & DYING

1. DEATH & DYING 5 STAGES OF GREIVING 2 PURPOSES OF HOSPICE CARE “RIGHT TO DIE”

2. DEATH • FINAL STAGE OF GROWTH

3. Terminal illness • Disease that cannot be cured that will result in death

4. Reactions to death • Fear of pain • Fear of unknown • abandonment • loneliness • Anxious about loved ones • anxious about unfinished work or dreams

5. Final peace • full life • strong religious beliefs regarding life after death • know death will bring an end to loneliness, pain and/or suffering

6. Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross • extensive research on the process of death & dying

7. Results of research • patient should be told of his/her approaching death • patients should be left with some hope and knowledge they will not be left alone

8. Five stages of grieving • patient & family may experience these stages • stages don’t have to occur in order • stages may overlap or be repeated several times • may not progress through all of the stages • may be going through several stages at the same time

9. STAGES OF DEATH & DYING • Denial • anger • bargaining • depression • acceptance

10. DENIAL • First stage • first told of terminal illness • make statements such as • “The doctor does not know what he/she is talking about” • “The tests have to be wrong”

11. ANGER • patient no longer able to deny death • Common statements • “Why me” • “It’s your fault” • may strike at at anyone who comes in contact with them • Hostile and bitter • blame themselves and their loved ones or health care professional

12. BARGAINING • accept death but wat more time to live • frequently turn to religion and spiritual beliefs • will to live is strong

13. DEPRESSION • occurs when the patient realizes death will come soon • no longer be with families • unable to complete their goals • may express these regrets or withdraw and become quiet

14. ACCEPTANCE • understand and accept the fact that they are going to die • complete unfinished business • help those around them deal with death

15. Care of the dying patients • very difficult • great satisfactions • understand own personal feelings about death and come to terms with these feelings • learn to provide supportive care the dying need

16. HOSPICE CARE • meeting needs of the dying patient • care offered in hospitals, medical centers and special facilities • patient’s home • allow the patient to die with dignity and comfort • pain is controlled so patient can remain active as long as possible • psychological, spiritual, social, and financial counseling

17. RIGHT TO DIE • HCW are ethically concerned with promoting life but HCW has to come to terms with right to die • allowing patients to die can cause conflict • patient able to refuse treatment • laws allow right to die

18. LAWS • allow adults with terminal illness to instruct their doctors in writing to whithold treatments that might prolong life • Living will • specific actions cannot be taken

19. SUMMARY • Death is part of life • HCW will deal with death and dying patients • must understand the process of death and think about the needs of dying patients • provide special care these individuals need