Thanatology Flashcards
What is thanatology?
the scientific study of death and the practices associated with it, including the study of the needs of the terminally ill and their families.
What is social security?
(in the US) a federal insurance program that provides benefits to retired people and those who are unemployed or disabled.
What is Medicaid?
Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that pays for a variety of health care expenses. It’s administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Medicare beneficiaries are typically senior citizens aged 65 and older.
What is a living will?
a written statement detailing a person’s desires regarding their medical treatment in circumstances in which they are no longer able to express informed consent, especially an advance directive.
What does DNR stand for?
Do not resuscitate
What are ways of ending a life if they DNR?
Starvation most common way
Where do most deaths happen in elderly?
Nursing home use to be hospital but they want them in and out not staying
What are two qualities of Hospice?
▪️focus on caring when curing is not an option
▪️2 physicians (primary, hospice) must certify patients prognosis is 6 months or less
What is palliative care?
Care designed to relieve the symptoms without fixing or repairing the underlying condition. Focuses on controlling pain.
What is the percentage of deaths per day that are negotiated?
70% are negotiated competence of dying person or spokesperson advanced directive aka living will
What leads to quick death in the US?
Suicides and accidents
Does chronic disease prolong death?
Yes industrialized nations will die from chronic or degenerative disease (late, slow onset and extended decline)
What is brain death?
Absence of brain function(electrical impulses) resulting in irreversible unconsciousness
What is the legal definition of death?
Irreversible cessation of Circulatory and respiratory functions and of all functions of the entire brain including the brain stem
What is cadaver organ donation possible?
Only after brain death
What is the white light?
Difficulty distinguishing between sleep and wakefulness result of the brain shutting down
