The Elderly and Death

Problems Faced by the Elderly
1. Expectation to retire but many don't want to.
2. Less mobile and more dependent on others.
3. Many rely on state pension, poverty is a serious issue.
4. Loneliness.
5. Often catch age related illnesses.
6. Feelings of worthlessness as they're not contributing to society.
7. Feel like a burden on family and friends.
Who Should Care for the Elderly?
1. Family/Friends
  1. 'honour your mother and father.'
  2. Should be seen as a privilege.
  3. Respectful.
  4. Should be supported.
  5. Good rebirth.
2. Community
  1. Sheltered Housing
    1. Flat with communal area.
    2. Has security for emergencies.
      1. Elderly have some independence and privacy.
    3. Some may not socialise.
  2. Residential Homes
    1. Planned activities
      1. Planned meals.
      2. Allows them to socialise easily.
    2. A home where the elderly who are unable to be independent go.
    3. Not personal.
      1. Busy.
        Expensive.
  3. Hospitals
    1. Has correct treatment and help for severely ill.
    2. Where the severely ill elderly go.
    3. Bad atmosphere, surrounded by death.
      1. No socialising.
    4. 'Duty to consider the best options.'
3. Live Alone
  1. Allows independence.
Euthanasia
1. 'Gentle death/mercy killing of someone with a terminal illness.'
2. Voluntary : Ill person asks for help to die.
3. Non-Voluntary - Decision is made for them in their best interests.
4. Passive: Withdrawal of life support/medication.
5. Active: Lethal injection or overdose.
6. For
  1. Free will.
  2. Act of love not violence.
  3. Die with dignity.
  4. Private matter, shouldn't be interfered with if is not hurting anyone else.
  5. Pets are put down, why aren't humans given the same kindness.
  6. Right intention.
  7. You can mourn without seeing them suffer.
7. Against
  1. Chance of recovery.
  2. God has a plan. 'In your book were written.'
  3. Upsets family.
  4. May lead to families killing off elderly and using sadness as an excuse.
  5. Life is a gift, you can't play God.
  6. Dying people cannot make rational decisions.
  7. Goes against the first precept of not harming.
  8. Hippocratic Oath - doctors must try and preserve life.
  9. Bad karma.
  10. Family members may be pushed into a decision.
  11. 'Thou shall not kill.'
  12. Suffering is a part of life, has to be accepted.
  13. Jesus healed, Christians should help where possible.
8. "Do to others as you would have them do to you" Both FOR and AGAINST.
Hospice Movement
1. House dedicated to caring for terminally ill people and preparing their family for the death.
2. Differences from a hospital.
  1. Hospital
    1. Government funded.
    2. No socialising.
    3. Focuses more on treatment.
    4. Treats multiple illnesses, some are not terminal.
    5. Performs surgery.
  2. Hospice
    1. Encourages the patient to live.
    2. Receive luxuries eg. manicures.
    3. Encouraged to get out of bed.
    4. Higher staff:patient ratio.
    5. Palliative care.
Death
1. End of life.
  1. Determined when brain stops functioning.
  2. When the soul leaves the body for the afterlife.
2. Sanctity of Life: All life is God given and therefore sacred.
3. Quality of Life: measure of fulfilment, how enjoyable or happy a persons life is.
4. Value of Life: value of a persons life over and above their physical value.
5. Life after Death
  1. Christians
    1. Heaven: Free of Sin
      1. State of being with God.
    2. Purgatory: Venial Sins (will be purged of these and go to heaven).
    3. Hell: Mortal Sins
      1. Separated from God.
  2. Idea of life after death comforts the dying.
    1. Religious
      1. Something better to come.
      2. Not end of life but a new beginning.
      3. Reward for a faithful life.
      4. Elderly are close to death, more likely to think about the afterlife.
    2. Non-Religious
      1. May be seen as a punishment instead of reward.
      2. Something not real cannot provide comfort.
      3. Should comfort all, not just the elderly.
  3. Buddhists
    1. Reincarnation.
6. Life Support
  1. Keeping someone alive using artificial methods - feeding, breathing.
  2. Should it be turned off?
    1. Personal choice.

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