Preparing for Aging,
Death and Dying
Dr. Wallace
Redefining Age
 Legal Age
– Most commonly used definition – based on
chronological years (vote, driving, drinking, etc)
 Biological Age
– How your body ages (physical activity)
 Psychological Age
– Abilities and intelligence (adapt to new situations)
 Social Age
– Habits and roles relative to society’s expectations
Coping with Death
 Death – The
end of growth and all
development
 Sooner or later, we must ALL face death
Types of Deaths
Brain Death

No brain function

Must be confirmed by (EEG)
Spiritual Death

Moment when the soul leaves the body
Functional Death

End of all vital functions (heart stops beating)
Cellular Death

Death of body cells after the heart stops beating
Perspectives on Death
 Ecological Perspective
 Humanistic Perspective
 Religious Perspective
 Reincarnation Perspective
 Life-After-Life Perspective
Ecological Perspective
 All life forms are equal in value and
importance. No living organism is more
superior than the other
Humanistic Perspective
 Human life is more valuable than other life
forms. Since humankind is seen as superior it
should be nurtured.
Religious Perspective
 All forms of life is created by some supreme
being. Purpose is to obey God and he will be
your salvation.
 “Heaven or Hell”
Reincarnation Perspective
 Death simply means leaving earth and going to
a better place (new physical body)
 Also called “Rebirth” or “Transmigration”
Life –after-life Perspective
 People who have been reported as clinically
dead but some how was revived
 Reward or Punishment: Based on how you
lived during your time on Earth.
Stages of Grief
 Point of Loss
 Frozen Feelings
 Emotional Release (scream,crying)
 Loneliness
 Physical symptoms (can’t eat, sleep)
 Guilt
 Panic
Stages of Grief
 Hostility
 Selective Memory
 Struggle for “New Life Pattern”
 Life is Okay!
Stages of Dying
Kubler-Ross

Death can be traumatic & extremely stressful
5 Stages of Dying
-starts with being diagnosed with a terminally ill disease

Kubler - Ross
Denial
 Refuse to accept the truth (Shocked)
 “This can’t happen to me?”
 “I don’t have HIV/AIDS”
 “I don’t have cancer”
Anger
 Yelling, pounding, crying
 Deep frustration
 Hostile toward people
Bargaining
 Agreement between mind and soul
 “Negotiate” for more time to live
 “If you let me live, I will never smoke
again”
Depression
 Realize there is not much hope
 Become overwhelmed
 At times make suicide attempts
Acceptance
 Accept your condition
 Not giving in or giving up
 Educate others about the disease or
illness
Adjust to Death

Realize that the person is no longer with us

Address the feelings that accompany the loss
–
–

cry
go for a walk
Reinvest in your life
–
Sooner face reality of what has happened the sooner you can
begin the healing process.
Condolence
Do or Don’t
Do or Don’t

I’m hear if you need me

It’s better this way

It’s in God’s hands

Was he/she pain

I am sorry

I feel your pain

At least they lived a long life

Stay busy and try not to think
about it

You’ll be ok after a while

You have to be strong for your
spouse, children, mother, etc
DNR Order

A signed document that states you want to be allowed
to die naturally –you do not want to be resuscitated in
case your heart stops beating.

DNR Orders = apply mainly to hospitalized, terminally
ill patients and must be signed by a physician

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PelGO9w1Ko
Making Funeral Arrangements
All cultures have some kind of funeral ritual
Wake or viewing – viewing, followed by memorial service in church
or funeral home
Methods of body disposal – burial in ground, mausoleum,
cremation, donate body
Expenses may include: burial casket, container for remains if
cremated
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCKDsjLt_qU
Pressures on Survivors
Decisions that have to be made……
– Contact family and friends
body disposal
– type of service
– display of body
– Write and print obituary
– other
–
Wills
1. Intestate –

No will – state decides what to do with your estate
2. Holographic will –

person who leaves a will but no witness

Can be contested in court
3. Organ donations – “gifts of life”

Uniform organ donor cards available through National
Kidney Foundation
Organ Donor Card Provided By The National
Kidney Foundation