DEATH & DYING
TERMINAL ILLNESS
• Disease that cannot be cured and will result
in death
• People react in different ways
• Some patients fear the unknown while others view
death as a final peace
RESEARCH
• Dr. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross was the leading expert
in the field of death and dying and because of
her research
• Most medical personnel now believe patients should
be informed of approaching death
• Patients should be left with some hope and know
they will not be left alone
• Staff need to know extent of information known
by patients
(continues)
CLASS RESEARCH
• Dr. Kübler-Ross identified five stages
of grieving- take a few minutes to research these
5 stages
• We will discuss your findings
STAGES OF DEATH AND DYING
1. Denial—refuses to believe
2. Anger—when no longer able to deny
3. Bargaining—accepts death, but wants
more time
4. Depression—realizes death will come soon
5. Acceptance—understands and accepts the
fact they are going to die
SKIT
Create at skit showing the 5 stages of grief with a
group of 3-4 people.
STAGES OF DEATH AND DYING
• Dying patients and their families and friends may
experience these stages
• Stages may not occur in order
• Some patients may not progress through them all,
others may experience several stages at once
CARING FOR THE DYING PATIENT
•
•
•
•
Very challenging, but rewarding work
Supportive care
Health care worker must have self-awareness
Common to want to avoid feelings by avoiding
dying patient
HOSPICE CARE
• Palliative care only
• Comfort measure only
• Often in patient’s home
• Philosophy: allow patient to die with dignity and
comfort
• Personal care
• Volunteers
• After death contact and services
RIGHT TO DIE
• Ethical issues must be addressed by the
health care worker
• Laws allowing “right to die”
• Under these laws specific actions to end
life cannot be taken
• Hospice encourages LIVE promise
• Dying Person’s Bill of Rights
SUMMARY
• Death is a part of life
• Health care workers must understand death and
dying process and think about needs of dying
patients
• Then health care workers will be able to provide the
special care these individuals need
ASSISTED SUICIDE
BRITTANY MAYNARD
BRITTANY MAYNARD
Brittany Maynard has precisely 2 weeks to live. She knows this because she has chosen the date
she will pass away, peacefully and painlessly, in her Oregon home. She'll be surrounded by a small
group of people — including her mother and husband — whom she loves. Maynard selected
November 1 for her death because her husband's birthday is on October 26, and she wants to
celebrate with him.
It's not a coincidence that Brittany and her family live in one of the only five U.S. states that allow
assisted suicide. Soon after Brittany was married, she began experiencing debilitating, unexplained
headaches. On January 1, 2014, while on vacation with her husband, Brittany was diagnosed with
a grade II astrocytoma — a severe brain tumor that doctors predicted would allow Brittany at most
10 years to live. "I have to tell you," she states in the video above, "when you’re 29 years old, being
told you have that kind of timeline still feels like being told you’re going to die tomorrow."
A few months later, Brittany's prognosis shifted dramatically. Despite having undergone surgery, her
cancer had progressed to glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the deadliest form of brain cancer. With
treatment, GBM's median survival time is around 14.6 months, meaning that half of those with GBM
live for longer than 14.6, and half live for less. Brittany was given six months. Doctors explained that
her death would be slow and painful as her tumor grew — a worsening progression of headaches,
nausea, vomiting, weakness, and seizures.
http://www.refinery29.com/2014/10/75714/brittany-maynard-dignity-death
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
• Write 3-5 sentences about your thoughts on Brittany
Maynard’s choice of assisted suicide?
• What are the things you would want to do if you
were given a terminal diagnosis like Brittany’s?
CLASS DISCUSSION
• Each person will share what they wrote with the
class and discuss their beliefs of the subject.