Chapter 19: Dealing With Death And Bereavement

Question 0

What are some customs done to honor those who have died

Answer 0

Wakes, shiva, flags at half mast

Question 1

What are the eight aspects of death listed in the notes

Answer 1

Biological, social, cultural, historical, religious, legal, psychological, and ethical

Question 2

Where did modern practices of cremating people and embalming people come from

Answer 2

Greece burned their heroes: cremating

The Egyptians and Chinese embalmed the dead

Question 3

What percent of deaths in the US occur among the elderly?

Answer 3

75%

Question 4

Why are deaths happening later in life on average (3 reasons)

Answer 4

Women are less likely to die in child birth
Infant mortality rates have declined
Advances in medical technology and sanitation (pharmaceuticals)

Question 5

What shift in care of the dying has occurred

Answer 5

It used to be that it took place in isolation by professions but there is a shift now towards being at home in hospice or home health care

Question 6

What are three methods that have aided in the resurgence if interest in understand death and dealing with it compassionately

Answer 6

Thanatology: study of death and dying
Hospice care: making comfortable, taking care of pain and more symptoms are being dealt with
Palliative care: only makes comfortable, doesn’t treat symptoms

Question 7

T/F there are cognitive and functional declines shortly before death

Answer 7

True

Question 8

What can the near-death experience likely be attributed to

Answer 8

The patient being hypoxic due to lack of oxygen in the brain, hallucinating

Question 9

Describe Kubler-Ross’s five stages of coming in terms with dying

Answer 9

Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance 

This is for grieving all things as well, originally made to deal with ones own death. This list is not universal or sequential

Question 10

T/F there is typically a universal pattern to grieving

Answer 10

False

Question 11

The degree if distress varies a lot on….

Answer 11

Social capital, your personality, how dependent you were on that person.

Grief therapy may or may not be useful depending on the person

Question 12

Five suggestions to helping people grieve

Answer 12

1. Allow person to talk about feelings of loss and or memories
2. Don’t offer false comfort or trite sayings
3. Offer practical help- don’t just offer to bring over dinner, actually do it
4. Be patient and available to talk and listen
5. Suggest professional help when necessary- if interfering with daily life and you feel close enough

Question 13

Describe the understanding of death from a 5-7 year olds perspective

Answer 13

They do not understand that death is irreversible, universal, and inevitable

They better understand death if it is a part of their experience

Question 14

describe how an adolescence deals with death

Answer 14

Don’t think about death to much, think it won’t happen to death
They take needless risk and think they are invincible

Question 15

T/F: realization, acceptance, of the inevitability of death increases through adulthood

Answer 15

true

Question 16

Which gender is more likely to be widowed

Answer 16

Women, bc they live longer

Question 17

What is more important in dealing with death, ago or coping skills?

Answer 17

Coping skills

Question 18

How does the loss of parents affect relationships with others

Answer 18

Usually leads to changes in self and relationships with others, start cherishing relationships with living relatives

Question 19

Surviving a child weakens or destroys what percent of marriages

Answer 19

16%

Surviving a child is out of the norm

Question 20

T/F compared to other countries, miscarriage is viewed as a devastating loss

Answer 20

False, not generally viewed as a significant loss in the US

Question 21

How do other cultures deal with miscarriage

Answer 21

Japan has rituals to mourn miscarried and aborted fetuses
Hoppi Indians don’t speak of the dead, are expected to forget it
Day of the dead in Mexico

Question 22

What is the typically length of mourning for parents who have lost kids

Answer 22

Men: 3-6 months
Women: 9-24 months

Question 23

T/F suicide is still illegal

Answer 23

False, although there is still a stigma

Question 24

How many states have the “right to die” what is it and what is the criteria to be eligible?
What is another name for it?

Answer 24

In 5 states ( OR, WA, MT) it is considered passive immunization
For chronic degenerative illnesses
Have to have two physicians agree that you have less than 6 months to live 15 days apart from one another
Have to be a resident of one of those five states for 6 months prior

Another name is physician assisted suicide (PAS)

Question 25

What demographic is most likely to use the “right to die” bill

Answer 25

White, wealth educated males, who are used to always having control most likely
Cancer is the leading disease in this

Question 26

T/F suicide is the 8th leading cause of death, and the third among college students

Answer 26

False, it is the 10th leading cause of death, and the second among college students

Question 27

Which gender is most likely to attempt to commit suicide, which is more successful and why?

Answer 27

Women are more likely to attempt, males are more successful because they choose more violent methods.

Question 28

What are three other forms of PAS

Answer 28

DNR- do not recessitate laws
Advanced directives/living will
Durable power of attorney

Question 29

T/F besides the US, active euthanasia is legal in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and France

Answer 29

False, it is legal in all of those countries but it is ILLEGAL IN THE US

Question 30

T/F in the US, only a minority favor passive euthanasia

Answer 30

False, a majority favor it

Question 31

What are the cultural views of the Navajos, Chinese, and African Americans/Hispanics on preparation for death

Answer 31

Navajos are not permitted to plan for death
Chinese protect the dying from unfavorable information about their condition
African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to favor longevity over health/quality of life

Question 32

T/F the greater purpose you find in life, the less afraid you are to die

Answer 32

True

Question 33

What are two ways older people help themselves to find significance in their life

Answer 33

Reminiscing as well as completing unfinished tasks, for example bucket lists.