According to the late William Bartholme, a 20th-century cancer sufferer from Kansas City, dying should be thought of as an experience to be lived, rather than a medical condition. Nothing is more certain in life, and yet few things are so infrequently talked about. When confronted with news of a terminal illness, it is useful to have on hand a hospice book on the dying process.
The final moments of life are not always as peaceful as they are portrayed on television and in the movies. There are certain signposts that death is near. For example, the person may lose the ability to lose their legs in the last week of life. They lose their appetite and their interest in drinking. One of the most alarming and distressing phenomena is agonal breathing. It is a painful process to witness, and, if that is a likely scenario, it would be useful to know what to expect.
Once the shock dies down following the awareness that death is imminent, there is a lot to think about. What physical changes will take place over what period of time? Dispersal of the individual's estate needs to be sorted out. There are issues of end of life care, organ donation and advanced directives regarding the individual's wishes about being resuscitated.
Everyone deals with impending death differently. Some individuals can resign themselves to the prospect and adjust quickly. Others will go out screaming and kicking every step of the way.
The same could be said of friends and relatives. In addition to managing the physical and medical issues, there will be a barrage of emotions to manage. Hopefully, the event will enable people to reconcile long-standing differences.
Two emotionally-charged topics that need to be resolved are organ donation and how much medical intervention is acceptable if the need arises. Having both of these decisions documented will save misunderstandings and make life much easier later on when the need arises. Make sure all interested parties are duly informed.
Then there is the question of where the death will occur. If their medical condition allows, many people like to spend their last moments in the privacy of their own home. If they are spending their last days at home, it is useful for the caregiver to know what the legalities are with regard to attendance by the police. This can be a shock, and shocked and bereaved caregivers can feel somehow to blame for the situation if it is not explained previously.
How can you tell when death is imminent. To some extent, this will depend on the nature of the terminal illness. The brain will conserve its last scraps of energy to maintain its own function, so less life-sustaining functions will start to fall by the wayside. They may, for example, lose the use of their legs very close to the end of their life. The moment of death may be preceded by some disturbing moments, such as agonal breathing. It is not always as peaceful and romantic as it is sometimes portrayed. These are just some of the reasons why it is a good idea to find a good reference manual to cover the practical, religious, legal, medical and emotional issues that you are going to face in your role as a psychopomp.
The final moments of life are not always as peaceful as they are portrayed on television and in the movies. There are certain signposts that death is near. For example, the person may lose the ability to lose their legs in the last week of life. They lose their appetite and their interest in drinking. One of the most alarming and distressing phenomena is agonal breathing. It is a painful process to witness, and, if that is a likely scenario, it would be useful to know what to expect.
Once the shock dies down following the awareness that death is imminent, there is a lot to think about. What physical changes will take place over what period of time? Dispersal of the individual's estate needs to be sorted out. There are issues of end of life care, organ donation and advanced directives regarding the individual's wishes about being resuscitated.
Everyone deals with impending death differently. Some individuals can resign themselves to the prospect and adjust quickly. Others will go out screaming and kicking every step of the way.
The same could be said of friends and relatives. In addition to managing the physical and medical issues, there will be a barrage of emotions to manage. Hopefully, the event will enable people to reconcile long-standing differences.
Two emotionally-charged topics that need to be resolved are organ donation and how much medical intervention is acceptable if the need arises. Having both of these decisions documented will save misunderstandings and make life much easier later on when the need arises. Make sure all interested parties are duly informed.
Then there is the question of where the death will occur. If their medical condition allows, many people like to spend their last moments in the privacy of their own home. If they are spending their last days at home, it is useful for the caregiver to know what the legalities are with regard to attendance by the police. This can be a shock, and shocked and bereaved caregivers can feel somehow to blame for the situation if it is not explained previously.
How can you tell when death is imminent. To some extent, this will depend on the nature of the terminal illness. The brain will conserve its last scraps of energy to maintain its own function, so less life-sustaining functions will start to fall by the wayside. They may, for example, lose the use of their legs very close to the end of their life. The moment of death may be preceded by some disturbing moments, such as agonal breathing. It is not always as peaceful and romantic as it is sometimes portrayed. These are just some of the reasons why it is a good idea to find a good reference manual to cover the practical, religious, legal, medical and emotional issues that you are going to face in your role as a psychopomp.
About the Author:
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