Ch 31: Dying and Bereavement in Older Adults
About This Chapter
Dying and Bereavement in Older Adults - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
Losing a loved one can be an earth-shattering experience. Through this series of video lessons, you'll see how death, grieving and bereavement are handled, both by individuals and by various cultures. You'll also gain an understanding of the stages of dying, see how the hospice movement developed and be able to differentiate between mourning and grieving. At the end of the chapter, you should be able to:
- Describe the five stages of dying
- Recognize normal grief and abnormal grief
- Discuss the relationship between the dying and their caregivers
- Understand hospice care
- Define the idea of dying with dignity
| Video | Objective |
|---|---|
| Life Expectancy and Life Span: Definition & Factors | Explain the concept of life expectancy and talk about what influences that calculation. |
| Definitions of Death | Identify various kinds of death, including brain, clinical, cortical, psychic and social. |
| What Are the Stages of Dying? - Overview of Kubler-Ross's 5 Stages | Name the major stages of dying. |
| Grief and Bereavement: Patterns of Bereavement & Stages of Grief | Outline commonalities in people's experiences of grieving. |
| Mourning and Grief: A Cross-Cultural Perspective | Describe the difference between mourning and grief; acknowledge how they're both carried out differently, depending on culture. |
| Normal vs. Abnormal Grief Responses | Name typical and atypical reactions to the loss of a loved one. |
| Caring for the Dying: Caregiver Roles & Respite Services | Discuss the role of a caregiver and the availability and use of respite care. |
| The Modern Hospice Movement: History & Effects | Discuss what hospice is and how hospice care came to be, as well as how hospice has brought positive change to healthcare in general. |
| Dying with Dignity: Definition & Options | Talk about the concept of 'dying with dignity' and outline the options that a terminal patient can take to end his or her life. |
| Legal Issues Involved in Death & Dying | Understand common legal issues related to the dying process and death, such as patients' right to know. |
| Death and Dying: Euthanasia Debate and Stages of Acceptance | Recognize multiple perspectives on the issue of euthanasia. |
| Major End-of-Life Issues: Health Care Legal Planning | Identify and give examples of end-of-life issues like a living will and a healthcare proxy. |
| Reactions to Death Across the Life Span | Learn about the concept of death anxiety, and how it changes from childhood to adulthood and later, older adulthood. |
1. Life Expectancy and Life Span: Definition & Factors
Life expectancy is the average length of time that an individual in society will live, whereas life span is the actual length of time that a specific individual lives. Learn about the definitions and factors of life expectancy and life span.
2. Definitions of Death
There are specific definitions of death in medical practice. Explore how to compare and contrast brain death and cortical death, clinical death and its major criteria, and two kinds of metaphorical death: psychic and social.
3. What Are the Stages of Dying? - Overview of Kubler-Ross's 5 Stages
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross proposed 5 stages of emotional responses to death and dying that revolutionized the care of terminal patients. Take a look at the overview of Kubler-Ross' 5 stages of dying, discover how was her approach to people facing death, and review the criticisms her theory received.
4. Grief and Bereavement: Patterns of Bereavement & Stages of Grief
Upon facing the death of a loved one, one goes through stages of grief. Study the definition of bereavement, grief and mourning. Learn the attachment model of bereavement, four main reactions to death, and patterns of bereavement through the lifespan.
5. Mourning and Grief: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
Grief is a normal reaction to losing someone, but everyone mourns in their own way. Learn about the differences between grief and mourning and explore traditions practiced around the world from a cross-cultural perspective.
6. Uncomplicated vs. Complicated Grief Responses
People have different reactions to the loss of a loved one, some of them are more adaptive than others. Learn about the grieving process and how people can react in different ways, and explore the distinction between uncomplicated and complicated grief, including risk factors for the latter.
7. Caring for the Dying: Caregiver Roles & Respite Services
As end-of-life approaches, caregivers and respite services play essential roles in providing comfort and care to older adults. Discover how these services care for the dying and then explore the role of self-determination care.
8. The Modern Hospice Movement: History & Effects
Hospice care focuses on the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of the terminally ill. Learn about the history and effects of hospice care, study the modern hospice movement, and explore the options of palliative care.
9. Dying with Dignity: Definition & Options
There are a few different ways to die with dignity. In this lesson, look at the definition of what it means to die with dignity, including the options of through assisted suicide and euthanasia.
10. Death and Dying: Euthanasia Debate and Stages of Acceptance
Coping with death is emotionally and mentally painful, but through euthanasia, physical pain and suffering can be avoided. Learn the five stages of grief and acceptance, and explore the controversial debate surrounding euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.
11. Major End-of-Life Issues: Health Care Legal Planning
Major end-of-life issues may include preparing legal plans for the health care of an individual. Learn more about ways to ensure a person's wishes are followed via health care proxies, living wills, and organ donation.
12. Reactions to Death Across the Life Span
As we age, our reactions to death change and mature. Review the definition of death, then explore how death anxiety and attitudes shift across the life span, including in adolescence, the teenage years and young adulthood, middle age, and late adulthood.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Gerontology for Teachers: Professional Development course
- Introduction to Gerontology
- Political & Ethical Issues in Studying Gerontology
- Research Methods & the Study of Gerontology
- Conducting Ethical Research When Studying Gerontology
- The Demography of Aging
- The Health of Older Adults
- Chronic Conditions of the Aging Population
- The Brain & Nervous System in Older Adults
- The Aging Muscle, Skeletal, and Integumentary Systems
- The Aging Sensory System
- The Aging Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
- The Aging Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
- Attention and Memory of the Aging Population
- The Cognitive Development of Older Adults
- Intelligence, Creativity, & Wisdom in Older Adults
- Mental Health & Lifespan Development Disorders in Older Adults
- Measures of Well-Being in Aging Populations
- Clinical Assessment in Psychology
- Anxiety Disorders Related to Aging
- Substance Use Disorders & Aging Populations
- Cognitive Disorders in Older Adults
- Personality & Older Adulthood
- Mood and Stress Disorders
- Treatment Methods for Psychological Disorders in Adults
- Aging in Society: Social Implications for Older Adults
- Interpersonal Relationships of Older Adults
- The Economics of Aging
- Work in Late Adulthood
- Work, Leisure & Community Involvement in Retirement
- Politics and Policy for Older Adults