Chapter 19 Dealing with Death & Bereavement

Cultural context Customs related to disposal and remembrance of the dead, transfer of possessions, expressions of grief; care of toward the dying Mortality Top cause for death are diseases.

Care of the dying Hospice care- personal, patient and family centered care for the terminally ill Focus is on palliative care- relief of pain and suffering, control of symptoms, maintaining satisfactory quality of life, allowing patient to die in peace and dignity.

Psychological Issues Confronting one’s own death In absence of identifiable illness, at 100, tend to suffer functional declines, lose interest in eating and drinking, and die a natural death

Terminal drop or terminal decline- widely observed decline in cognitive abilities shortly before death; decline in verbal ability significant Near death experiences: sense of being out of body and visions of bright lights or mystical encounters May result from physiological changes or psychological responses to threat of death

Kubler-Ross- Five Stages of coming to terms with death: 1.Denial 2.Anger 3.Bargaining for more time 4.Depression 5.Acceptance Not everyone will experience all five stages or in same sequences; may bounce between or return to stages

Patterns of Grieving Bereavement- the loss of someone close and process of adjusting to it. Brings change in status and role Grief- emotional response initially experienced

Grief work Shock and disbelief- immediately following the death; feel lost and confused; awareness of loss sinks in, numbness then overwhelming feelings of sadness, crying, may last weeks Preoccupation with memory of the dead person- may last 6 months to 2 years, attempts to come to terms, unable to do so. May relive death and not accept it; may feel dead person is present; relieves at anniversary Resolution- renews interests in everyday situations, memories of the dead person bring fond feelings with sadness.

Commonalities Depression is not universal in its expression or experience High distress at outset does not necessarily avert long-term problems Not everyone needs to work through a loss Returning to normal not on a schedule Cannot always resolve their grief and accept their loss

Common grief- depression that sets in immediately after bereavement and subsides over time No empirical support for absent or delayed grief, but rather resilience- a low and gradually diminishing level of distress. May accept death as natural process Grief therapy Helps the bereaved cope with their loss

Childhood and Adolescence Ages 5-7, begins to understand death as irreversible; Also that it is universal (all things must die) and therefore inevitable; and a dead person is nonfunctional (all life functions end at death) Pre-5, difficult to grasp Table 19-2 (page )

How children show grief depends on cognitive and emotional ability. Some express through anger, acting out, refusal to acknowledge death; Help children understand death and bereavement process; make as few changes to routines, household as possible

Adulthood May experience little or major problems with death. Surviving Loss of Spouse Women: difficult when structured life pleasing or caring for husband; not only loose companion but important, central role. Men may experience similar

Quality of marital relationship affects degree to which widowhood affects mental health If have become high dependent on spouse, tended to become more anxious and more difficult time grieving- longer mourning

Men who lost their wives within 5 year period, 21% died if not remarried; women 10% more likely to die Loss of spouse may be loss of the protective shield- the one who reminded to take pills, care for, etc Practical problems of care, poverty

Women- can be catalyst for growth, discovering submerged aspects of self, learning to be more independent; search for personal meaning May seek new companion, some seek new marriage- though not necessary- only companionship

Losing parent in adulthood Experience emotional distress. Helps to force resolution of important developmental issues; achieving stronger sense of self; more realistic goals and awareness of own mortality; greater responsibility, commitment, and attachment to others May have to assume responsibility for surviving parent and in keeping family together

Losing a child Unprepared; comes as a cruel, unnatural shock; an untimely event that should not have happened Parents may blame themselves; may hasten parent’s death If terminally ill, parents who discuss openly the impending death tend to achieve a sense of closure that helps to cope with the loss

Mourning a miscarriage Most end to avoid talking about it; grief becomes more intense and wrenching without support Often overcome with frustration and helplessness; often found support by supporting spouse.

The Right to Die Suicide % had tried suicide before completing it Many care accidents and drug overdoses are actually unidentified suicides 10% who attempt suicide kill themselves within 10 years 60% of nonfatal self-inflicted injuries treated in emergency rooms among teenage girls and young women are probable suicide attempts

women attempt suicide more than men; however, men are more likely to complete a suicide- using more lethal methods men over % of all suicides, risk rises for men 85 and older- more likely to be depressed and socially isolated. Older people are more likely to be effective with suicide the first time. Family history of suicide dramatically increases risk

Genetics- mood and impulse control problems, increases risk 8/10 people who killed themselves gave warning signs (withdrawing; talking about death or suicide; giving away possessions; abusing substances; personality changes; unusual anger, boredom, or apathy; neglect self care and appearance, avoid usual activities, complain of physical problems that may have no medical basis; eat/sleep too much or not at all; depression; hopelessness.

When finally make decision to kill self, often appear improved mood, happier, and this is misinterpreted as being less at risk when in fact it is the final acceptance to die.

Aid in dying Active Euthanasia- mercy killings, action taken directly and deliberately to shorten a life in order to end suffering or allow a terminally ill person to die with dignity. Illegal. Passive Euthanasia- withholding or discontinuing treatment that might help extend the life of a terminally ill patient; medication, life-support systems, feeding tubes. Some circumstances is legal. Must be voluntary of person dying.

Assisted suicide- physician or other helps a person bring about a self-inflicted death. Advance directives Constitutional right to refuse or discontinue life-sustaining treatment- to request passive euthanasia. Must be mentally competent. This is a written document; contains instructions. Living will is one type. Durable power of attorney- appoints someone to make decisions when person unable to make their own decisions

Assisted suicide- physician or other helps a person bring about a self-inflicted death. Advance directives Constitutional right to refuse or discontinue life-sustaining treatment- to request passive euthanasia. Must be mentally competent. This is a written document; contains instructions. Living will is one type. Durable power of attorney- appoints someone to make decisions when person unable to make their own decisions Ethical arguments for and against assisted suicides.