The Elderly And Death Flashcards
Voluntary euthanasia
The person asks for help to end their life
Non voluntary euthanasia
The person is too ill or is unable to ask for help to end their life but it is believed to be their wish or is in their best interests
Involuntary euthanasia
This refers to the practise used in nazi Germany where a person is not asked or no consideration is given to what would be in their best interests
Active euthanasia
When the dying person is killed to put them out of their suffering. What is done ends their life- their illness does not kill them
Passive euthanasia
When the dying person is allowed to die through taking away the medical support they have- the illness is aloud to kill them eg. Stopping the drugs that keep them alive
Life support machines
Keeping someone alive by artificial means using a machine eg. A respirator which breathes for someone, a dialysis machine or feeding someone through a tube directly into the stomach
Hospice
A home for the dying. People may go there to die or when they are terminally ill for respite care to give families a rest
Palliative care
Giving someone who is terminally ill effective pain relief from their illness to allow them to have as much quality of life as possible
Respite care
When the carer of a person who is terminally ill or seriously disabled is given a holiday / break from caring for their relative
Bereavement / bereaved
The word used to describe people who have recently had a relative who has died. People are mourning / grieving for their loss
Nuclear family
Where parents and children live together in the same house
Extended family
Where several generations of the same family live together in the same house or very near by
Nursing home
Where mainly elderly people can live and have their medical needs looked after by nurses. Costs more because the person needs more care
What problems do elderly people face?
1) Stereotypes
2) Worry about money / pensions
3) Worry about being Lonely / bereaved
4) May not be able to be mobile or healthy enough to stay independent
5) who will care for them?
What advantages do old people have?
1) many retired people have more ‘disposable income’ than younger people- no mortgage and all kids have left home
2) have lots of life experience and are good for advice
3) cheap childcare providers for their grandchildren
4) can take advantage of of cheap travel and cheap holidays out of school time
How many people in the UK are over 65
1 in 5 people– nearly 1 in 5 of us today will live to be 100
What are hospices an alternative of?
Euthanasia
What is the current law in the UK on euthanasia?
You are allowed to commit suicide however if you help someone commit suicide you will be in-prisoned for max of 14 years
Murder and manslaughter are also breaking the law therefore for performing euthanasia you could face either of these.
Where is euthanasia legal?
In Switzerland- if the patient asks for it and is stable to do so, and it is confirmed by 2 different doctors at different times
What are different circumstances that can been seen as being ‘dead’?
Heart stops beating
Stop breathing
Organs pack up
Brain stops working and can’t send messages to any part of body
Who is one person that has had euthanasia?
Dan Jones- paralysed following a rugby scrum collapse. Died at a dignitas clinic in Switzerland aged 23
Advantages of life support machines?
Short term help for people after major surgery
Premature or very sick babies need a machine to help them continue to grow and develop
Gives family time to come to terms with their loss
Keeps people alive so their organs can be used for transplant
Can be classed as a kidney dialysis or pace maker- they aren’t dying!
Disadvantages of a life support machine?
It’s playing god!
You need to consider their quality of life- it will be poor and keeping them alive is cruel
Cruel to family to prolong their hope when the patient may not recover
What do hospices do?
Care for terminally ill patients physical, emotional, spiritual and phycological needs
Supports their families
Offers palliative care
The workers can come to their houses or the patients can stay or visit the hospice
They offer respite care
