Death and Dying

1. Death and Dying

2. Vocabulary • Hospice-a facility or program that provides physical, emotional, and spiritual care for dying people and support for their families. • Terminal Illness- an illness where there is no chance or recovery

3. Dying • Part of the normal cycle that all living things go through • Past People died in their homes • Present People die in the hospital or nursing home • Some people choose to be taken care of in a hospice.

4. Hospice • Own Facilities • Visit home or hospital • Hospice should be used at an earlier stage of the illness.

5. Hospice • Hospice involves a team approach using the following providers. • Family caregivers; • The patient' s personal physician; • Hospice physician (or medical director); • Nurses; • Home health aides; • Social workers; • Clergy or other counselors; • Trained volunteers; and • Speech, physical, and occupational therapists, if needed

6. Purpose of Hospice • The purpose of hospice is the following: • Manages the patient's pain and symptoms; • Assists the patient with the emotional and psychosocial and spiritual aspects of dying; • Provides needed medications, medical supplies, and equipment; • Coaches the family on how to care for the patient; • Delivers special services like speech and physical therapy when needed; • Makes short-term inpatient care available when pain or symptoms become too difficult to manage at home, or the caregiver needs respite time; and • Provides bereavement care and counseling to surviving family and friends. Facts on last two slides provided by: http://www.longtermcarelink.net/about_hospice_care.htm

7. Five Stages of Dying • Denial • Anger • Bargaining • Depression • Acceptance http://oldfashionedliving.com/dying.html

8. Typical Reactions to People Dying • Uncomfortable • Cover up grief by false cheer • Refusal to talk about grief • Keep away from dying person

9. Emotional Support • Visit the person as often as possible • Let the dying person direct the conversation • Try not to be shy about discussing death • Talk about your long term goals

10. Grieving After Death http://www.hns.org/CenterforGriefHealing/TheGrievingProcess/tabid/90/Default.aspx

11. Helping Others Through Their Grief • http://helpguide.org/mental/helping_grieving.htm • Be a good listener • Write a sympathy note or purchase a sympathy card • Help with everyday errands • If necessary, help your friend get counseling.