1. Late Adulthood, Death, Dying and Bereavement
Chapters 17-19

2. Piaget’s Formal Operations Stage
Abstract thought

3. Erik Erikson Ego integrity vs despair
Feeling whole, complete and satisfied with life’s achievement
Vs despair-made many wrong decisions yet time is too short to find an alternate route to integrity
Hard to accept death
Anger and contempt with others maybe expressed

4. Physical Issues Dementia-loss of memory
Alzheimer’s Disease-leading cause of death in elderly population
Cancer/ heart issues/breathing
Diabetes/broken bones
Issues with cold and heat- due to nervous system
Issues with taste buds
Macular degeneration-vision blurs and loss of vision
Loss of some smell

5. Exercise and life style
Exercise and active lifestyle seem to improve
loss of memory, loss of body mass, loss of energy and loss stamina
increase of oxygen and blood flow throughout the body

6. Care for the Elderly Nursing homes-assisted living Hospice
Care of family members
Living alone
hospitals

7. Reflections
Elderly may participate in life reflection-reflecting on one’s life to recognize contribution to society and others
Many cultures hold elderly in high social status and view them with much wisdom

8. Terminal Decline
Steady marked decrease in cognitive functioning prior to death
Some say average 1-3 years possible 5 years
Loss of memory, speech, motor function, bodily functions can be signs

9. Death and Dying Dying occurs in 3 phases
Agonal phase- gasps and muscle spasms
Clinical death- short interval in which heartbeat, circulation, breathing and brain functioning stop but resuscitation is still possible
Mortality occurs when the individual passes into permanent death

10. Brain Death
Irreversible cessation of all activity of the brain and brain stem which controls reflexs
persistent

11. Understanding of Death
Permanence-once living things die, they can not be brought back
Universality-all living things die
Nonfuctionality-all living things function,and cease at death

12. Stages of Bereavement
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

13. Components to think about
Wills
Place of death
Place of burial
Method of burial

14. Other terms
Euthanasia
Assisted Suicide

15. Other cultures view of death and dying
See handout