1. Chapter 17
Death, Dying, and Grieving
PowerPoints developed by Jenni Fauchier,
Professor Carney

2. Circumstances of Death
 200 yrs ago
 Average life
expectancy 47
 1900
 Most people died at
home
• Cared for by family
(U.S. Census Bureau, 2006)
 Today
 Average life
expectancy 78
 80% deaths occur
with professional
caregivers
• Institutions
• Hospitals

3. Kubler-Ross’ Stages of Dying
Five stages
 denial & isolation
 anger
 bargaining
 depression
 acceptance

4. Coping with Death & Loss
Best for dying persons & family to
know death is immanent
 Individuals
•
•
•
•
•
•
can
Close life with own ideas about proper dying
Complete some projects & plans
Make funeral arrangements
Make arrangements for survivors
Reminisce
Experience physical sensations & medical
procedures

5. Adjustment to Death of a Spouse
Optimal adjustment depends on
several factors
 Women
do better
• Better networks of friends
• Care for selves psychologically
 Older
widows do better
• Death may be more expected
 Widowers
more likely
• Better financial resources
• Remarry

6. Effective Strategies for Communicating
with a Dying Person
 Establish presence at same eye level
 Don’t be afraid to touch
 Eliminate distraction, including excessive
small talk
 Keep visits short with frail individuals
 Don’t prescribe or deny feelings of
acceptance
 Allow & encourage expressions of feeling

7. Effective Strategies for Communicating
with a Dying Person
 Ask:
expected outcome of illness
 someone like to see or contacted

 Discuss alternatives & unfinished business
 Encourage reminiscences
 Talk to individual when he/she wishes to talk
 Express your caring, & love

8. Coping & Type of Death
Sudden, untimely, violent, or
traumatic deaths
 More
intense & prolonged effects
Diverse grieving patterns
 culturally embedded practices

9. Making Sense of the World
Beneficial aspect of grieving
 Make sense of world
Death caused by accident or disaster
 Effort to make sense of it is pursued
vigorously
Bereaved want to put death in a
perspective they can understand

10. Losing a Life Partner
Suffer profound grief
Financial loss
Loneliness
Increased physical illness
Psychological disorders
 Major
depression
Widows outnumber 5 - 1