Speakers Notes

Preserving Communication and Dignity at End of Life 
 

SLIDE 2 - The Natural Dying Process

Linda 
 

Two Dynamics – Physical and emotional-spiritual-mental

Dying is a process, a natural slowing down of the body’s systems. This process is different for each and every individual – is as varied as the birthing process and the duration may vary from hours to days.

Emotional transitions at life’s end

There are several works on people’s reaction to death and dying.

The first and most well-known is that of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Her work is entitled On Death and Dying.

Identified five stages of emotion that might experience during the dying process.

Denial or “no not me”

Anger or “why me?”

Bargaining or “yes, but”

Depression or “it’s me”

Acceptance or “it’s part of life”

People don’t move through the stages in a linear progression

People may vacillate between stages

People may stay in one stage until death.

Fear is often an element when an individual encounters the prospect of death/dying.

Emotionally and physically based reasons that people might fear death

      fear of helplessness

      fear of dependence on others

      fear of physical faculties

      fear of mutilation by sur