Perceptions of death change across the life span

Based on this week’s learning resources, discuss the following items:

How do perceptions of death change across the life span?

Explain the evolution and role of hospice and palliative care.

Describe the role of informal caregivers, including demographic and cultural considerations and the risks associated with caregiving.

Reflecting on the article and/or the video by Atul Gawande, what are some key considerations for end-of-life care?

An excellent response will be at least 3-4 paragraphs in length, using complete sentences and concise language. Please cite at least 3 of this week’s Learning Resources in your response.

Please be sure to use APA citations in your text and to include your reference list. When you refer to and/or discuss any resources, you need to include a citation for that source, such as: (Braincraft, 2015). For more info on APA style, visit the APA Citations and Style module in this online classroom.

REQUIRED RESOURCES:

READ: Kastenbaum, R. (n.d.). Definitions of death. Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Retrieved from http://www.deathreference.com/Da-Em/Definitions-of-Death.html

READ: Kovacs & Fauri – Chapter 49: Formal and informal caregiving at the end of life. Handbook of Death and Dying.http://sk.sagepub.com.ezproxy.umgc.edu/reference/death/n49.xml

READ: Brabant – Chapter 46: Death in two settings: The acute care facility and hospice. Handbook of Death and Dying. http://sk.sagepub.com.ezproxy.umgc.edu/reference/death/n46.xml

READ: Leming – Chapter 47: The history of the hospice approach. Handbook of Death and Dying. http://sk.sagepub.com.ezproxy.umgc.edu/reference/death/n47.xml

READ: Villet-Lagomarsino, A. (2016). Hospice vs. palliative care. Retrieved from http://www.caregiverslibrary.org/caregivers-resources/grp-end-of-life-issues/hsgrp-hospice/hospice-vs-palliative-care-article.aspx

WATCH: Dowdy (2011). Community Nursing Services. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMKsZ0M6z00

WATCH: PBS Frontline. (2015, Feb. 10). Being Mortal. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/being-mortal/

Alternative: If you prefer not to watch the PBS Frontline video, you can instead read the following:

Gawande, A. (2014, Oct. 6). No risky chances: The conversation that matters most. Slate. Retrieved from http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2014/10/end_of_life_medical_decisions_atul_gawande_book_excerpt_on_no_risky_chances.html

OPTIONAL RESOURCES:

READ: Kastenbaum, B. (n.d.). Hospice option. Encyclopedia of Death and Dying. Retrieved from http://www.deathreference.com/Ho-Ka/Hospice-Option.html

You must proofread your paper. But do not strictly rely on your computer’s spell-checker and grammar-checker; failure to do so indicates a lack of effort on your part and you can expect your grade to suffer accordingly. Papers with numerous misspelled words and grammatical mistakes will be penalized. Read over your paper – in silence and then aloud – before handing it in and make corrections as necessary. Often it is advantageous to have a friend proofread your paper for obvious errors. Handwritten corrections are preferable to uncorrected mistakes.

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