L / Hanaa Eisa

Death and Dying

2015 -2016

Death and Dying

Death is “the final stage of growth and development”• Experienced by everyone and no one escapes• Young people tend to ignore its existence• Usually it is the elderly, who have lost others, who

begin to think about their own death

Research

Dr. Elizabeth K.R. was the leading expert in the field of death &dying

Results of her research– Most medical personnel now believe patient should be informed

of approaching death– Patient should be left with some hope and know they will not

be left alone• Staff need to know extent of information known by patient• She identified 5 stages of grieving

Dying patients and their families/friends may experience these stages

may not occur in order ,Some patients may not progress through

them all, others may experience several stages at once

Stages of Death and Dying

1. Denial – refuses to believe

2. Anger – when no longer able to deny

3. Bargaining – accepts death, but wants more time

4. Depression – realizes death will come soon

5. Acceptance – understands and accepts the fact they are going to die

Caring for the Dying Patient

1. Very challenging, but rewarding work

2. Supportive care

3. Health care worker must have self-awareness

4. Common to want to avoid feelings by avoiding

dying patient

Hospice Care

• Palliative care only ,Often in patient’s home

• Philosophy:

Allow patient to die with dignity and comfort

• Personal care

• Volunteers

• After death contact and services

Right to Die

• Health care workers must understand this issue

• Ethical issues must be addressed

• Allowing patients to die can cause conflict

• Specific actions to end life cannot be taken

• Laws allowing “right to die”

Summary

• Death is a part of life

• Health care workers will deal with death and dying pt.

• Must understand death and dying process and think

about needs of dying patients

• Then health care workers will be able to provide the

special care these individuals need

Human Needs

• Needs: lack of something that is required or desired

• Needs exist from birth to death

• Needs influence our behavior

• Needs have a priority status

• Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Meeting Needs

• Motivation to act when needs felt

• Sense of satisfaction when needs met

• Sense of frustration when needs not met

• Several needs can be felt at the same time

• Different needs can have different levels of intensity

Methods for Satisfying Needs

Direct methods to meeting a need and obtaining satisfaction

1. Hard work

2. Set realistic goals

3. Evaluate situation

4. Cooperate with others

Methods for Satisfying Needs

Indirect methods to meeting a need &obtaining satisfaction

• usually reduce the need and help relieve tension if need is

unmet. The need is still there but its intensity decreases.

– Rationalization ,Projection ,Displacement

– Compensation ,Daydreaming

Suppression ,Denial ,Withdrawal

Summary

• Be aware of own needs and patient’s needs.

• More efficient and quality care can be provided when

know needs and understand motivations.

• Better understanding of our behavior and that of others