Late Adulthood: Death & Dying - Psychology Lecture PDF

LATE ADULTHOOD: DEATH & DYING NURS 305 PSYCHOLOGY (GAMMA + DELTA) LECTURER: EUGENIA D. YAMSON DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCEINCES (DOSS) PSYCHOLOGY UNIT THE FINAL How do people typically react to death? CHAL...

LATE ADULTHOOD: DEATH & DYING NURS 305 PSYCHOLOGY (GAMMA + DELTA) LECTURER: EUGENIA D. YAMSON DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCEINCES (DOSS) PSYCHOLOGY UNIT THE FINAL How do people typically react to death? CHALLENGE The statistics on death are very convincing: Everyone dies. In spite of this, most of us are poorly informed about a process that is as basic THE FINAL as birth. CHALLENGE We have seen how valuable it is to understand major trends in the course of development. With this in mind, let us now explore emotional responses to death, the inevitable conclusion of every life. It might seem that as people grow older they would fear death more. THE FINAL However, older persons actually CHALLENGE have fewer death fears than younger people. Older people more often fear the circumstances of dying, such as pain or helplessness, rather than death itself REACTIONS TO IMPENDING DEATH A direct and highly influential account of emotional responses to death comes from the work of Elisabeth Kübler- This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND Ross (1926– 2004). Kübler-Ross was a thanatologist (one who studies death). REACTIONS TO IMPENDING DEATH Over the years she spent hundreds of hours at the bedsides of the terminally ill, where she observed five basic emotional reactions to impending death (Kübler- Ross, 1975). Denial and Isolation Anger REACTIONS TO IMPENDING Bargaining DEATH Depression Acceptance A typical first reaction is to deny death’s reality and isolate oneself from information confirming that death is really going to occur. DENIAL: “I feel Initially the person may be sure that fine.” “This “It’s all a mistake.” “Surely,” she or he thinks, “the lab reports have been can’t be mixed up or the doctor made an error.” happening; not to me.” This sort of denial may proceed to attempts to avoid any reminder of the situation. ANGER: “Why me? It’s not fair!” “How can this happen to me?” “Who is to blame?” As they face the ultimate Even good friends may Many dying individuals threat of having life torn temporarily evoke anger feel anger and ask, “Why away, their anger may because their health is me?” spill over into rage envied. toward the living.  In another common reaction, the terminally ill bargain with themselves or with God. BARGAINING: “Just let me live to see my The dying person thinks, “Just let me live a little children graduate.” longer and I’ll do anything to earn it.” “I’d do anything for a few more years.” “I’d give my life savings Individuals may bargain for time by trying to be if…” “good” (“I’ll never smoke again”), by righting past wrongs, or by praying that if they are granted more time they will dedicate themselves to their religion.  As death draws near and the person begins to recognize that it cannot be prevented, feelings of futility, exhaustion, DEPRESSION: “I’m so sad, why bother and deep depression may set in. with anything?” “I’m going to die. What’s The person realizes she or he will be the point?” “I miss my separated from friends, loved ones, and loved ones — why go the familiar routines of life, and this on?” causes a profound sadness. ACCEPTANCE: “I know my time has come; it’s almost my time.” If death is not sudden, many people manage to come to terms with dying and accept it calmly. The person who accepts death is neither happy nor sad, but at peace with the inevitable. Acceptance usually signals that the struggle with death has been resolved. The need to talk about death ends, and silent companionship from others is frequently all the person desires.  Many of the same reactions associated with impending death accompany any major loss: Be it divorce, SIMILAR REACTIONS Loss of a home due to fire, Failing a major exams or Loss of a job.  Not all terminally ill Generally, there does tend persons display all these to be a movement from Individual styles of dying five reactions identified by initial shock, denial, and vary greatly. Kubler Ross, nor do they anger toward eventual always occur in this order. acceptance. However, some people who seem to have accepted death may die angry and raging against the inevitable. Conversely, the angry fighter may let go of the struggle and die peacefully. In general, one’s approach to dying will mirror his or her style of living (Yedidia & MacGregor, 2001). IMPLICATION S HOW CAN I MAKE USE OF THIS INFORMATION? This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND  First, it can help both the dying and survivors to recognize and cope with periods of depression, anger, denial, and bargaining. IMPLICATIONS Second, it helps to realize that close friends or relatives may feel many of the same emotions before or after a person’s death because they, too, are facing a loss. IMPLICATIONS Perhaps the most important thing to recognize is that the dying person needs to share feelings with others and to discuss death openly. Too often, dying persons feel isolated and separated from others. Adults also tend to “freeze up” with someone who is dying. For such people, thanatologist IMPLICATIONS Kirsti Dyer (2001) has this advice: Be yourself and relate person to person. Be ready to listen again and again. Be respectful. Be aware of feelings and nonverbal cues. IMPLICATIONS Be comfortable with silence. Be genuine. Most of all, be there. IMPLICATIONS Understanding what the dying person is going through may make it easier for you to offer support at this important time. A simple willingness to be with the person and to honestly share his or her feelings can help bring dignity, acceptance, and meaning to death. HOSPICE CARE This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND Kubler-Ross’s work was introduced at a period in which the hospice movement began in the United States. HOSPICE CARE This movement focused attention on caring for the dying. Hospice involves caring for dying patients by helping them be as free from pain as possible.  Patients are provided with: Assistance to complete Helping family Social support through wills and other members cope with the the psychological arrangements for their dying process, grief, stages of loss, and survivors. and bereavement. HOSPICE CARE HOSPICE CARE Hospice care tries to provide the best quality of It offers spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical life for terminal patients and it is done through a comfort to the patients, their families, and their holistic approach. caregivers.  Today, many terminally ill individuals also benefit from hospice care, which can improve the quality of life in a person’s final days. Hospices typically offer: HOSPICE CARE Support, Guidance, Pain relief, and Companionship. CONCLUSION In short, the dying As each of us faces person is made the end of life, to die comfortable and well may be no less feels loved and an accomplishment respected. than to live well.