Death And Bereavement Flashcards
Which people have poorer and health and die sooner?
Less wealthy
What percentage of deaths are of people over 75?
67%
What factors can affect when you die?
Gender
Age
Socioeconomic differences
What are the three main patterns of dying? Give examples
Gradual death - slow decline in ability and health eg cancer, motor neurone disease
Catastrophic death - through sudden or unexpected event eg heart attack or accident
Premature death - children and young adults through accident/illness
What are some common initial reactions to new of a terminal illness?
Shock Numbness Disbelief Confusion May find it difficult to take in what is being said Can make decision making difficult
What are the 5 stages of adjusting to the idea of dying?
Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance
Which stage of the process of accepting a long term illness may require counselling?
Depression - needed to help them move on from this stage and or acceptance
Why might people go into denial?
As a coping mechanism
What are issues with denial?
Can be a barrier to healthcare
What should the doctor do when the patient is in denial?
Respect any desires not to know about things
Offer written information for the patient to look at with their family
Check and review over time to see when patient is ready
What symptoms are often seen after experiencing bereavement?
Loss
Grief
Mourning
What is grief?
A set of psychological and physical reactions to bereavement
-normal reaction to overwhelming loss, albeit a reaction in which normal functioning no longer holds
What happens in the grieving process?
Disbelief and shock in early stages
Developing awareness - anger, guilt, anxiety, depression
Resolution
What is bereavement associated with?
Increased risk of illness and mortality
-particularly for older people who lose their spouse and social support
From the effects of severe stressors on the body
CVS events and suicide
Symptoms of grief?
Physical - shortness of breath, palpitations, fatigue, digestive symptoms, reduced immune function
Behavioural - insomnia, irritability, crying, social withdrawal
Emotional - depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, loneliness
Cognitive - lack of concentration, memory loss, preoccupation, hopelessness, disturbance of identity, visual and auditory hallucinations
What happens to people who experience brief after two years?
85% adjust to bereavement and experience minimal grief
15% experience chronic grief
What happens in chronic grief?
Anxiety
Depression
PTSD a
What are risk factors for chronic death following bereavement?
Prior bereavements
Mental health
Type of loss (young, nature of death, caring status)
Expression of grief discouraged
Ending of grief discouraged eg guilty about moving on to someone else
Why may relatives feel unable to provide home care?
Lack of support, advice, concerns about pain management
Aims of palliative care?
Improve quality of life
Manage emotional and physical symptoms
Support patients to live productively
Give patients some control
