...All dying experiences are unique and influenced by many factors, such as the cause of death, length of the process, and beliefs of the person. Each patient understands death from his or her own point of view. Two patients with the exact same diagnosis will each comprehend their dying process differently. Whether it is age, gender, race, religion, the way he/she was raised, all people will uniquely experience the dying process. It is hard to quantify death because of this. First, we need to begin with definition of a critical word. Death anxiety is one found in almost every text describing the dying process. According to the Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine, death anxiety refers to the “fear and anxiety related to the anticipation, and awareness, of dying, death, and nonexistence. It can vary according to the person’s stage of development and sociocultural life experiences” (Gellman, 2013). This one definition already shows that there is going to be relationships between the dying process and age, gender, and different races. Effects of Gender on the Dying Process The connection of gender to the dying process is fairly inconsistent. Some reports state that there is no difference in gender relationship to death and the quality of the dying process (Venegas and Alvarado,...
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...Although all people die, everyone's dying process is unique. Many people think of dying as merely a physical process, but dying is an experience of the whole person and is influenced by a combination of physical, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual factors. There are as many ways to die as there are to live, so in order to better understand how people who are dying experience the process, researchers and clinicians have developed different models or theories that attempt to account for how people cope with dying. THEORIES/MODELS OF DYING Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's Stage Theory of Dying The general public is most likely to be familiar with Kubler-Ross's theory of dying. In 1969, she published a book titled On Death and Dying, which was based on interviews collected from 200 dying patients. In the book, Kubler-Ross discerned five stages that dying people experience. The five stages, which reflect different reactions to dying, are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Denial is the "No, not me!" stage where the person is in shock or denial and cannot believe that they are going to die. Denial is self-protective and gives the person time to adjust psychologically to the news that he or she is going to die. Anger is the "Why me?" stage and may involve, in addition to anger, resentment, rage, and envy at God, doctors, nurses, family members, or anyone who is not dying. Bargaining is the "Yes me, but. . ." stage and often involves bargaining with God...
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...Spiritual process of dying The dying process consists of various steps where people move from stage to another stage. Some people may not pass through all the stages of the standard dying process (Feldman, 2010). The most common stages through people move are: infancy, pre-school years, middle childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adult hood, late adulthood, and death & dying. People have unique opinions regarding dying process and the factors which influence opinions of people are: age, sex, personality, social support available from family and friends etc. For example a person who is having social support from family and friends will have more interest towards life then others who lead a lonely life. Death is a discrete, datable event that terminates a person’s life and it is certain for everyone in this world (Sumner, 2011). There are few people who like to reach the final stage of dying process before the time comes. It is known as ‘suicide’ and it is biggest crime in this world. God will not excuse. Feldman (2010) also stated that there are fewer deaths before the birthdays, which means that people die before reaching the final stage in dying process. Some people that as auspicious day like Christmas will delay dying process for at least one week, from the other that people in positive mood can delay their dying process (Justice, 1997). There are some religions where people believe that dying on a particular day may be good because heavens gates are opened...
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...Ethical Analysis of Weensolsen’s The Art of Dying Excelsior College Abstract In The Art of Dying, How to Leave This World with Dignity and Grace, at Peace with Yourself and Your loved Ones, Patricia Weenolsen, Ph.D. takes a practical approach to show the reader how the process of dying can actually bring emotional healing. In her book Patricia Weenolsen makes a strong case for euthanasia. Even though only a pages deal directly with euthanasia directly, the overarching theme of The Art of Dying deals with a “good death” and thusly exerting no small amount of influence on ones departure from this life and surrounding circumstances. In dealing with the emotions surrounding the death process, the reader is given tools that result in some small measure of control that inevitably leads to contemplation of euthanasia. In what I would term a most compassionate manner, Patricia Weenolsen takes the reader on a journey through the end of life, helping the reader to prepare for the final pages of this life. Keywords: euthanasia, death, dying, Patricia Weenolsen Introduction In her book, The Art of Dying: How to Leave This World With Dignity and Grace, at Peace With Yourself and Your Loved Ones, Patricia Weenolsen, Ph.D. delivers a compelling argument for euthanasia that will cause readers to consider the manner in which they choose to leave this life both physically and mentally. While arguments can be made against euthanasia, the ability of terminally ill patients of...
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...at: SUPPORT@WISEAMERICAN.US HLT 324V WEEK 4 COMPLETE LATEST HLT 324V Week 4 Discussion 1 Describe the spectrum of death and dying rituals and practices. Why are death and dying rituals so significant? HLT 324V Week 4 Discussion 2 What death and dying practices are contrary to your personal beliefs or chosen religious values? How will you support a patient’s death and dying rituals and practices, and still honor your own? HLT 324V Week 4 Case Study: Through the Eyes of the Patient and the Health Care Professional Topic: Spiritual and Cultural Emphases on Death and Dying Allied health professionals are confronted with different death and dying practices. An effective allied health professional recognizes the importance of understanding different cultural practices, and learns how to evaluate the death, dying, and spiritual beliefs and practices across the cultures. Read the two specified case histories and choose one for this assignment. Chapter 4, “Stories of Abby: An Ojibwa Journey” and Chapter 14, “Stories of Shanti: Culture and Karma,” by Gelfland, Raspa, and Sherylyn, from End-of-Life Stories: Crossing Disciplinary Boundaries (2005), available in the GCU Library: http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/grandcanyon/Doc?id=10265487 Identify your role as a health care professional in supporting Abby or Shanti’s dying rituals, and in creating strategies for displaying respect while still providing quality care. Integrate your strategies as you...
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...Grief is the emotional response. Your grief process will depend heavily upon the way in which the death took place. I am going to explore the bereavement process that takes place when loosing a loves one due to terminal illness and the experience of grief after the loved is gone. Sandra P. Aldrich writes, "Anticipatory grief may very will be cancer's only redeeming factor." When loosing a spouse to terminal illness both you and your spouse begin the grief process together and will go through 5 stages of grief together, that Elisabeth Ross Kuegler has identified. The words bereavement and grief will be used interchangeably, however bereavement is a choiceless event. Grieving is the experience is understood as an active coping process permeated by choice.(Thomas Attig) How the dying and the survivor go through the process will have many determining factors, such as their ability to be honest with each other about how they may be feeling about the inevitable death. Are they prepared financially? What is their spiritual strength? Are there children to be considered? Does the survivor know the wishes of the dying? The first stage of th bereavement is denial. This stage begins almost as soon as the words come out of the doctor's mouth. Immediately the couple is searching for second opinions, convinced that the doctor has read the chart wrong, got charts of the one dying mixed up with someone else's chart. As the spouse of the dying they start grasping at straws to find the cure...
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... It is a part of our everyday life; it is the undercurrent of all that we do and all that we are. What does this mean? How do I experience the Paschal Mystery? How does it affect me on a daytoday basis? How do I become aware of its presence in my life in a real way and not just something I know about? First, let's look at the Paschal Mystery in general terms, without any religious lingo. The Paschal Mystery is basically the process of dying and rising, death and new life. We see this all around us and in our own lives. For example, we experience the process of dying and rising each year as we go through the different seasons. Summer is a time of vibrancy and life, which then gives way to fall, when leaves on the trees die and fall away and many plants seem to die. Winter comes and with it the frost and chill that seem to halt all growth and life. But after winter, when it seemed as if everything had died away, spring arrives. New life surrounds us. Daffodils and crocuses begin to push through the oncefrozen ground. The bare branches of trees begin to show signs of new leaves. Another example within nature is a process that many park rangers use—a controlled burn. Certain areas are purposefully set on fire in order to improve the habitat for plants and wildlife. It's hard to believe that from the charred tree trunks and withered, blackened brush can come a healthy ecosystem with stronger trees and plants. But that's exactly what happens. We are a part of nature too. Not only do we experience the seasons...
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...At the end of life, patients and their families are faced with many difficult choices. One of these choices is deciding whether to withdraw or continue enteral feedings that their loved one has been receiving. Some researchers argue that withdrawing enteral nutrition at the end of life allows the natural dying process to occur and increases comfort because patients are not administered feedings that the body can no longer absorb. Other researchers argue that providing nourishment during palliative care enhances the course of treatment and can improve patient outcomes. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate in palliative care patients, what is the effect of withdrawing enteral nutrition compared to continuing enteral nutrition on quality of...
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...Women in Psychology Introduction Before recent times, many doctors, or physicians did not want to treat people with terminal illnesses. People with terminal illnesses were often considered as a humiliation to doctors or physicians, as the doctors and physicians were frequently thought of as failures because they could not treat or cure those individuals with life-threatening illnesses. Many times the doctors or physicians justification as to why patients with incurable illnesses were dying was that there was nothing more that could be done, and that there were countless demands that required the doctors or physicians time. The doctor’s unsympathetic and heartless ways towards the terminally ill was ostracized by a doctor from Switzerland by the name of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. Thus, she decided to spend time with the patients who were terminally ill to both comfort and study them. This paper will discuss the background of Elizabeth-Kubler-Ross, her theoretical perspective as well as her contributions to the field of psychology. (Chapman, A, 2006). Background Elizabeth Kubler-Ross was born in Zurich, Switzerland, on the 8th day of July in 1926. She was a sister of triplets and a sister to a brother. Elizabeth desperately searched for uniqueness. It was hard enough being a triplet but having a sister who looked exactly the same as her was taking an even bigger toll on her. Since then need to be unique was so bothersome for Elizabeth she would often escape to one of her...
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...End-of-life care in social work is a continuously growing and evolving field; the social work profession has embraced the challenge that comes from interaction with the dying process across multiple systems levels. A report from The Social Work in Hospice and Palliative Care Network stated the important role social work plays in end of life care: “Given the broad scope of practice and unique perspective, social workers bring to the field of palliative and end of life care, and to multidisciplinary teams their unique expertise in ethnic, cultural, and economic diversity; family dynamics; and social support networks. Their expertise in this field includes interventions for dealing with advanced chronic illness, trauma, grief, bereavement,...
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...A good death and a death with dignity may be achieved when death is agreeable with the personal values of the patient. Its be fitting the professional are able to recognize these values and to cater to them. This paper describes effective communication with the dying person, and the partnership of treatment team, patient and family in face of the patient death. To identify and define the patient wishes it is necessary to learn how to interpret the patient's nonverbal as often patients are unable to formulate the questions they wish to ask concerning their passing. First and foremost I will argue, a good death is achieved when symptoms are controlled and when patients and family recognize death as a unique living experience to be treasured...
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...Aging and Death 1 . Running head: AGING, DEATH AND DYING Aging, Death, Dying, Aging and a Meaningful Life ________________________________________ Aging and Death 2 Introduction This analytical paper will examine the topics of death, aging and a meaningful life based on the novel Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. By exploring these topics, we will be exploring the life lessons Albom received from his dying college professor Morrie Schwartz. Albom shares the life lessons his professor passed down to him on death, fear, family and having a meaningful life. By disclosing these he topics, one can appreciate Albom’s thoughtfulness to share his story in discovering life through the death of his professor Morrie. Aging Aging is the process of growing older and includes changes in both biology and psychology. Biology refers to the way the body functions. Psychology describes how the mind functions. How people age has to do with genetics, environment, and lifestyle over a lifetime. The process of aging is complex, and may derive from a variety of different mechanisms and exist for a variety of different reasons. (Health-cares.net). As Morris grown old and was unable to wipe himself during his final days, he says to Albom, “I began to enjoy my dependency. Now I enjoy when they turn me over on my side and rub cream on my behind so I don’t get sores. Or when they wipe my brow, or they message my...
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...patients who are terminally ill to assist them to obtain the best quality of life possible by providing relief of pain and suffering, controlling symptoms, and reinstating functional capacity. Nurse educators have recognized that traditionally nurses have not been well prepared in caring for dying patients. Research also has acknowledged that nursing students have nervousness about dealing with death and dying. Many aspects have been recognized as influencing nurses’, nursing students’, and medical students’ feelings towards caring for the ill. Providing palliative care to dying, elderly patients will always be a challenge for healthcare providers. In 2009, Germany implemented palliative care as an essential part of medical curriculum. In many western countries, the number of patients with multimorbidity is increasing which makes it difficult to care for them. As recognized by the ministry of health and health experts, teaching palliative care of the elderly to the medical and nursing students can improve care. In this study, an interdisciplinary curriculum was studied and created which focused on the palliative care needs of the elderly. This research exemplifies the developmental process of a course of study on alleviant care needs of the elderly. It emphasizes the investigation for significant learning objectives as this...
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...Brandi Forester-Slaton Mrs. Webb ENGL 1113-401 8 November 2015 WE2 Physician assisted suicide (PAS) or physician assisted death (PAD) is a physician providing medication or other sorts of treatment/interventions with the knowledge and understanding that the patient intends to use these medications in order to end their life. Arguments for and against physician assisted suicide or death have shown to be both very strong. Although at times the issues brought up may seem to be old or very similar and even repetitive, new ideas and concerns constantly are emerging. Many states throughout the United States of America have continuously tried to legalize it, and Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont, and California being successful in that endeavor. Within the last couple centuries the public has brought attention to many issues and discussions regarding or involving physician assisted suicide as well as euthanasia from many different views and perspectives. Howard Ball is a supporter of physician assisted death in his article “Physician Assisted Death in America: Ethics, Law, and Policy Conflicts”, Ball addresses how the PAD arguments started in America, how views of PAD have changed overtime and what terminally ill patients have to deal with when making end of life decisions. I believe in the opportunity to die with dignity, in having the option to end your life when it is time, and in the comforts of your own home. I believe that in the end, this isn’t about death and when...
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...Death and Dying How a positive attitude may help us to overcome death with dignity. Agnieszka Schultes North Island College ESL 090 Suzanne Schiller June 21, 2013 TABLE OF CONTENT 1. Introduction 3 2. Definition of Death 4 3. Religious Views of Death 6 4. Psychological Assessment of Death 8 5. Face to Face with Death 10 6. Facing Death with Dignity 12 7. Conclusion 14 8. References List 15 Introduction The human understanding of death and our own mortality seems to change drastically throughout history, as well as the various cognitive and physical developments experienced by different cultures. One can only begin understanding the concept of death clearly however, if they are to encounter an experience that is somehow related with it themselves. According to Frank Rosenzweig, a very famous Jewish theologian as well as scholar, in a study he and his colleagues previously conducted, they found out that: “by the age of 65, about 50% of women and 10% of men have suffered the loss of a spouse at least once…” (as cited in Kesler, 2003, p. 54). So, based on the research given above, one may safely assume that quite a few of us will eventually witness someone dying in a very personal manner; but the real question is, do we truly understand the nature of death? And what does our society, as well as religious beliefs, say about this understanding? Definition of Death In various...
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