Ch. 12 Death and Loss

A set of vocabulary flashcards summarizing key concepts related to death and dying, including stages of grief and end-of-life care.

Fears of Death

• Ceasing to be & losing ourselves

• Leaving those we love

• Encountering the unkown

• Long and/or painful dying process

Forms of Loss

Can include the death of a loved one, the end of a significant relationship, or the loss of health and independence.

Gender differences in suicide

Women attempt more, men are more likely to die (more aggressive attempts)

Passive suicide thoughts

• Non-lethal thoughts of self-harm or death without active intent to commit suicide.

• Can indicate underlying mental health issues that need addressing.

Passive suicide thoughts examples

• "I wish I could just go to sleep and not wake up."

• "If I got hit by a car, that wouldn’t be so bad."

• "It wouldn’t matter if I just disappeared."

• "People would probably be better off without me."

Active suicide thoughts

• Desire to actively end one's life, often accompanied by detailed planning or intent.

• This level of ideation is more serious and requires immediate intervention.

Active suicide thoughts examples

• “I’ve been planning to take an overdose tonight when no one’s home.”

• “I’ve written a note and figured out how I’d do it.”

• “I’m thinking of jumping in front of a train tomorrow.”

Myths about suicide

• No warning signs

• If they talk about it they won’t do it

• Young people are more likely to commit than old people

• Suicidal people will always be suicidal

• People who attempt are wanting to die

Warning signs of suicide

• Suicidal thoughts & threats

• Sense of no purpose in life

• Previous comments or threats

• Preoccupied (obsessing) with death

• Giving away prized possesions (seen a lot in older ppl)

• Discussing methods and plan

• Increased substance abuse

• Isolation

• Extreme personality & behavioral changes

• Urgent need to get life together

Stages of Death & Loss

• Denial

• Anger

• Bargaining

• Depression

• Acceptance

Denial

The first stage in Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's five stages of dying, characterized by disbelief and shock regarding the reality of death.

Anger

The second stage in Kübler-Ross's model, where individuals may feel frustration and helplessness, often directed towards themselves or others.

Bargaining

The third stage of dying, where individuals seek to negotiate their way out of a distressing situation, often making promises to change.

Depression

The fourth stage in Kübler-Ross's model, marked by deep feelings of sadness as the individual acknowledges the loss.

Acceptance

The final stage in Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief, where individuals come to terms with mortality and loss.

Rational suicide

A decision to end one's life due to extreme suffering from a terminal illness.

Assisted suicide

Assisted suicide is when someone helps another person by providing the means to end their own life, but the person who wants to die actually does it themselves.

Hastened death

Speeding up the sying process to relieve suffering from a terminal illness. Not providing life support.

Advance directives

Decisions made regarding end-of-life care to protect an individual's self-determination.

Ex. If something happens to me this is what I want

Living will

A legal document that outlines a person's preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care in case they become unable to communicate their wishes.

Durable power of attorney for heath care

A legal document that designates someone to make healthcare decisions on behalf of an individual if they are unable to do so themselves.

Hospice

A philosophy of care focused on providing comfort and support to individuals at the end of life.

Grief work/ bereavement

The process of exploring and dealing with feelings generated by a significant loss.

Re-membering

The act of keeping the memory of a deceased person alive by involving them in daily life.

Death with Dignity Act

A law allowing physician-assisted suicide, enacted in Oregon in 1997.

Physical tasks of dying

The series of physiological changes and challenges that occur as a person approaches death, including changes in breathing, circulation, and body temperature.

Psychological tasks of dying

Maintaining autonomy, security, and personal dignity during the dying process.

Social tasks of dying

Sustaining interpersonal attachments valued by the dying person.

Spiritual tasks of dying

Searching for meaning in life and suffering as part of the dying process.

Ten Touchstones

• Opening to the presence os loss

• Dispelling misconceptions about grief

• Embracing the uniqueness of grief

• Exploring the feelings of loss

• Recognizing one is not crazy

• Understand the needs of morning

• Nurturing oneself

• Reaching out to others

• Seeking reconciliation

• Coming to appreciate one’s process of transformation

Four tasks of mourning

• Accepting the reality of the loss

• Working through the pain of grief

• Adjusting to an environment without the deceased

• Finding an enduring connection with the deceased while moving on