Elderly and Death Flashcards
Definition of Ageism
Prejudice & discrimination against the elderly
Definition of a Care home
A home for elderly people who are ill and need specialist treatment
Definition of death
Usually decided when the brain stops functioning
Definition of Euthanasia
From the Greek meaning ‘a good/easy death’. It is mainly seen as a release for those suffering with an incurable and/or degenerative disease, or for those who are in a permanent vegetative state (PVS)
Definition of Extended family
The whole family including grandparents, cousins etc.
Definition of Generation gap
A difference between the views of different generations
Definition of Heaven
A state of being with God after death
Definition of Hell
A state of being without God (or being with the devil)
Definition of Hippocratic oath
An oath used to swear, promising to preserve life
Definition of Hospice
A special place for people with terminal illnesses, where they are given palliative care rather than medical treatment, & helped to die with dignity
Definition of Life-support machine
A machine which prevents someone dying, by supporting their breathing. Without it they would die
Definition of mourning
A period of time when someone is grieving
Definition of palliative care
Dealing with pain, without treating the cause of the illness. Associated with illnesses
Definition of purgatory
A time after death for being prepared for heaven
Definition of Reincarnation
Being born again in another form (rebirth)
Definition of Residential Home
A large building with individual rooms for elderly residents. Meals are provided and there is a communal room with a chance to socialise
Definition of Sheltered Housing
A complex of small flats for elderly residents, with a warden on site & an emergency cord
Definition of Suicide
When someone kills him or herself
Definition of Voluntary Euthanasia
When someone asks a doctor or friend to help them to die peacefully & with dignity. They are usually terminally ill
Problems faced by the elderly
Rely only on pension & benefits Feel undervalued & discarded if forced to retire More prone to certain illnesses Less mobile Loneliness May feel like a burden on families
Buddhist beliefs about the elderly
Should be respected because of wisdom & experience
Children have responsibility for care
Looking after parents (and grandparents) provides an opportunity to gain good karma
‘Right action’ (eightfold path)
Caring for the elderly should focus on metta (loving kindness) and karuna (compassion)
Christian beliefs about the elderly
Should support elderly
Churches provide facilities for them
Jesus said, ‘love one another as I’ve loved you’
Hindu beliefs about the elderly
It is part of the 5 daily duties (Pitri Yajna) to serve & care for parents
Promotes good karma
‘As your will is your deed’
Muslim beliefs about the elderly
Whole family duty to care for the elderly
Sending elderly parents to a home is seen as disrespectful
Teaches that you should ‘rub the nose of those who do not respect their parents in the dirt’ (Hadith)
Jewish beliefs about the elderly
The fifth commandment - ‘show respect to the elderly’ (Leviticus 19:32)
Encourage the extended family but the Jewish community will provide specialist homes
Sikh beliefs about the elderly
They have a duty to look after parents
Obligation - selfless service (sewa)
Sikh community offers day care to the elderly in the Gurdwara
Reasons for euthanasia
You can mourn people you love without seeing them suffer
A person’s body is their own so they should be able to choose what to do (God given free will)
If you are unhappy there is no point to life - value of life diminishes
To assist someone to die is an act of love not violence
Reasons against Euthanasia
Friends and family may be upset
It breaks the Hippocratic Oath
Life is a gift. No matter how bad the pain is we must hold on
We can’t play God
In some cases there may be a chance of recovery. A cure may be discovered
What are the 4 types of Euthanasia
Active
Passive
Voluntary
Involuntary
What is active euthanasia
Killing someone to end their suffering, committing suicide or assisting someone to commit suicide. This may be by lethal injections or overdoses. This is illegal in Britain but legal in other countries like Holland
What is passive euthanasia
This allows people who are being kept alive artificially (through a life-support machine) to die. This is legal in Britain
What is voluntary euthanasia
When a person asks someone to end their life so that they can escape pain and suffering as they are unable to do it themselves
What is involuntary euthanasia
When a person’s life is ended without their permission to avoid further suffering (e.g. turning off their life support machine). This may require permission of the court
Buddhist teachings about euthanasia
To harm a living thing is wrong. ‘I will not harm any living thing’ (First Precept). Euthanasia goes against this, however if the intention is merciful it could be allowed (Right intention - eightfold path)
Christian beliefs about euthanasia
They disagree with euthanasia because they believe you should trust in God for healing however they also believe God didn’t want people to suffer
Hindu beliefs about euthanasia
Suffering is believed to be a result of bad karma from a previous life & harming a living thing is not allowed (Ahimsa)
Muslim beliefs about euthanasia
Only Allah can take life but passive euthanasia is accepted. ‘Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause’ (Qur’an 17:33)
Jewish beliefs about euthanasia
Only God can give and take life. ‘You shall not murder’ (Exodus 20:13)
Sikh beliefs about euthanasia
Certain cases of Euthanasia are accepted and only God can give & take life
What is the goal of palliative care
To achieve the best possible quality of life for patients and their families
What do hospices do
Provide relief from pain & other distressing symptoms
Help patients & families to deal with psychological & spiritual issues surrounding death
It does not involve quickening or postponing death
