illness, death & dying

Question 1

3 periods of illness

Answer 1

transitional
treatment
convalescent

Question 2

period of illness

transitional

Answer 2

healthy to ill

• can occur rapidly or slowly
• the person can be in a state of denial

Question 3

period of illness

treatment

Answer 3

• change in daily daily regiment - medicines, therapy, doctor’s visits
• physical assistance with daily routines
• hospitalization - loss of privacy and independence
• adjustment for the family

Question 4

period of illness

convalescent

Answer 4

another adjustment for family

Question 5

counseling the patient - spiritual guidance

Answer 5

• encourage the expression of fears and worries
• encourage and support throughout
• guide them spiritually - pray for discernment
• remind them of God’s love and presence
• share appropriate scripture for the situation
• Guide them through their thought process regarding the question why?

Question 6

counsel the patient

being the voice of reason

Answer 6

• sound decision-making
• the management of finance
• organizing the family
• evaluating the medical options

Question 7

counseling when it concerns a child

Answer 7

• the family will experience fluxuating emotions: discouragement, depression, denial, anxiety, anger (toward God, the pastor, things around him/her, guilt, frustration)

a child’s understanding is limited due to lack of maturity

• we need to consider his/her developmental stage
• if hospitalization is necessary, the child’s thoughts and feelings are crucial
• the child’s feeling’s can be expressed both physically and verbally
• we need to help create an environment of trust

Question 8

stages of death through illness

Answer 8

• denial
• anger
• guilt
• negotiation
• depression
• resignation
  (person can become less communicative)
  (person shows a decreased interest in the problems of the world)
  (despondence - many are forgotten by family and friends)

Question 9

what can effect how death is viewed

Answer 9

• the attitude of imminent death can differ from one culture to another, from one family to another, or from one person to another
• a non-believer’s perspective on death is different from a believer’s
• despite our religious convictions, it has been observed that patients that suffer from a mortal illness hold on to a certain hope, a belief that he/she can get better

Question 10

8 stages of the biblical response to grief

Answer 10

1. denial/isolation
   candor: honesty w/ myself
2. anger/resentment
   complaint: honesty w/ God
3. bargaining/works
   cry: asking God for help
4. depression/alienation
   comfort: receiving God’s help
5. regrouping
   waiting: trusting w/ faith
6. deadening
   wailing: groaning w/ hope
7. despairing/doubting
   weaving: perceiving w/ grace
8. digging cisterns
   worshipping: engaging w/ love

Question 11

things to keep in mind regarding the grieving process

Answer 11

• these “stages” are a relational process, not sequential steps. grieving and growing is not a neat, nice package. it isn’t a tidy procedure
• grieving & growing is messy because life is messy. moving through hurt to hope is a two-steps-forward, one-step-backwards endeavor. we don’t “conquer a stage” and never return to it.
• rather than picturing a linear, step-by-step route, imagine a 3D maze w/ many possible paths, frequent detours, backtracking, and even the ability to reside in more than one “stage” at the same time