1. Death & Dying

2. “I don’t mind dying, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”
Woody Allen

5. “Death Ain’t What it Use to Be…” in the US at least

6. DEATH The final stage of growth Experienced by everyone
The young ignore its existence
The old begin to think of their own

7. Death imposes two kinds of burdens
1. Preparing oneself for one’s own death
2. Deal with the interpersonal aspects of death that will affect one’s loved ones
grief, anguish, anger, anxiety, denial

8. Societal Meanings of Death
Modern American Society
Medical failure
Advanced Age
More traditional societies
Natural part of life cycle
Expected and encountered more frequently

9. US: Societal Changes – early 1900’s and now
Focus was on “comfort”
Died of infection
Died at home
Family was caregiver
Died younger
Death was short and sudden
2000s……
Focus is on “cure”
Focus is on avoidance
Die of chronic illness
Die in institutions
Institution staff are caregivers
Death is prolonged
The way people die has changed over time.
This is due to the advancement in science and technology. As people are now living longer and living (hopefully living well0 with chronic diseases.
Circle of Life Community Coalition End of Life Toolkit

10. The Issue of Dying Across the Life Span
Childhood
Until around 5-7 don’t understand the permanence, universality, and lack of functioning in death
Age 12 accurately perceive
Parent euphemisms (just went to sleep)
attending funerals, etc?
Would you want children under 10 to attend your funeral?
YES
White: 47.9%
African American: 68.4%
Hispanic: 57.6%
Asian: 40.4%
Age: NO20-39 (7.4%), (7.4%), 60+ (21.9%)
(Kalish & Reynolds, 1976)

11. The Issue of Dying Across the Life Span
Adolescence
- More experienced with death and grief
- Loss of sibling, friend or parent (survivor’s guilt)
- Positive outcome includes greater appreciation for life

12. The Issue of Dying Across the Life Span
Adulthood
Middle-aged
understand next in line to die
change in perception of time
(time lived vs amount left)
* death of a parent
* death of a child - violates the natural order
Transition to being the oldest generation

13. Late Adulthood- Older adults
Least concerned with dying
Loss of a partner
Loss of child or grandchild
**although think about death more

14. WHY not afraid? goals have been fulfilled living longer than expected
coming to terms with finitude
dealing with the deaths of friends

15. Bereavement: State of having sustained a loss
Older adults undergo much bereavement
Widowed men (up to age 75) are almost twice as
likely to die than married men
Grief: reaction to loss:
~ upset stomach
~Anxiety/Depression
~ shortness of breath/Sighing
~ Forgetfulness
~ Difficulty concentrating/Fuzzy Head
~Emotional Response: Crying, Anger, etc.
~ Less muscular strength/Muscle Aches
Grieving practices vary (Rituals) By culture: weeping/partying
By ethnicity: wake/Shiva/