Wow I can't believe the last week is upon us--this quarter flew! After reading this week I found myself really reflecting on my old job as a caregiver for seniors. The agency I worked for put me with many hospice cases so I had a lot of time to think about death and dying. I think the biggest thing that I learned working in the field, is that although no two people handle death the same, it is a process for everybody going through it and everybody effected by it. I had many clients who were ready to die and even looking forward to it in a way. I also had many clients who were fighting hard to stay alive even after doctors and nurses talked to them several times about the possibility of changing their advance directive to DNR because they were so sick...
Our society looks at death in a much different way than some other cultures. We don't talk about death unless we absolutely have to, and it makes most of us very uncomfortable. If we could change our views on death it may ease the pain for those affected.
Yeah for the last week! I agree with you that if we could change the view of death we may ease the pain of all involved. Personally I think death is a very peaceful experience that should be held in high regard. There should be no question about respect for the death/dying process. Do you feel like those that were "ready" had just given up on fighting or were they really at peace with the process?
ReplyDeleteso true so many peopole deal with themselves dieing in diffrent ways and are either ready to pass on or fighting in which it seems they are waiting for something.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you everyone has different a point of view about death. Some people think they have done everything they wanted to do before they die, so they feel that they are ready to leave this world. On the other hand some people think this world is so hard to leave, so they want to stay here even more than they can.
ReplyDeleteWhat you said at the end of your blog, "If we could change our views on death it may ease the pain for those affected", reminds me of something I learned from my cousins. A few years ago my Aunt and Uncle passed away, leaving their 3 kids (my cousins) orphans. Of course this was a terribly sad, confusing and heartbreaking for them and for our family but I remember being so impressed at how these kids handled it. They, as a family, were quite religious and were able to find so much comfort in accepting this as a part of "gods plan" and that their parents were in heaven. Whatever a persons spiritual beliefs may be (or not be), doesn't matter to me, I just think it's really healthy and fortunate that they can go through life with faith and peace in their hearts.
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