Hospice at Home 'here to help' - The Swazi Observer

ANALYSING THE PROCESS OF DYING

Today?s topic analyses the process of dying for a patient with a life threatening illness.
The purpose of the subject is to empower health practitioners and home based carers to be able to identify patient?s signs and symptoms of approaching death as well as provide care for the dying patient, so that they can prepare the patient?s family for the impending death.??
Our society is currently awakening to the special needs of the dying. We are finally developing the will to confront dying and to help those who have entered this very important part of life.
Too often people do not have the support they need in facing the personal issues that surround death. Although everyone would agree that peaceful dying is a human right, it can be very hard to arrange.
As I began working with different people in their end of life situations, I found that the process of dying was a powerful instructor. I saw that dying was an intense and unique period of life, a transition of unparalleled magnitude. A great deal of growth and understanding developed for people as they approached their dying. I discovered that, in most cases, the search for meaning in life was intensified by the dying process. Everyone who faced dying at some point began asking questions such as, ?What is really the meaning of my life?? ?What have I done with my life??? It was at this time that I made an amazing discovery, the wealth of personal introspection and healing that could be learned from examining the dying process.
Fortunately, our society is beginning to realise there is a natural time to die, that at some point the body and mind are ready to stop fighting.
Yet although there has been an increased awareness of the dying process and of the need for peaceful dying, studies show that few hospitals create conditions for peaceful death.
Too many people have died isolated, fearful, in physical and emotional pain.
Also many families have endured lonely, frightening days and nights watching their loved ones dying.
With some guidance, much of this suffering can be alleviated.
We need a formula that can help people know what to talk about throughout the process of dying and how to get the right professional help with these issues. We need a comprehensive system to help dying people, their families, friends, and medical providers communicate about the dying process. Most of all, we need to recognize that peaceful dying can be defined by specific criteria? and that it is something most of us would want for our-selves and for those we love if given the chance. To achieve peaceful dying, it?s important to learn how to talk about dying and how to empower oneself to fight for it.?
One of the most important decisions you can make at this time is whether to approach your dying at home or in an institution. When it?s possible, dying at home ? your own home or that of a loved one, is probably the best alternative.
It provides many advantages over institutionalised dying, and indeed more and more people are making this choice.
Dying at home allows you to be in familiar and comfortable surroundings, without the regiments and sterility of a hospital setting. It also gives you the largest degree of control over your own dying process. For these reasons, it?s wise to consider this option seriously.
Most patients I have worked with preferred to die at home when their circumstances permitted it.
To make dying at home work, someone must become the primary caregiver responsible for coordinating all your activities. Usually this caregiver is a capable, mature family member or loved one who is willing to take on this responsibility and service. But even if you have someone who is able to stay home and take care of you full time, this isn?t a one person job.
The primary caregiver must have the support of a hired or voluntary aide, as well as some training from a skilled health practitioner. Sometimes, families and friends are able to share the primary job so that the primary care giver isn?t just one person.

Emotional responses of a person towards death:
Denial - It is not easy for the patient to accept the fact that he/she is dying
Anger - Why me? Is the question in the patient?s mind. This question doesn?t ?necessarily mean he/she needs an answer. At this stage the patient needs help and support.
Bargaining - The patient negotiates to see more years e.g. I will try to be a better ?person if I can get another year.
Depression - Patient starts to isolate him/herself; sadness and anguish are ?expressed. The resolution of this stage leads to the final stage.
Acceptance - This stage comes following depression, this is the time when the ?patient accepts the situation. He/she may want her relatives nearby, although ?perhaps he/she doesn?t talk much.
Thank You
Senator ThulileMsane

P.O. Box 23
Matsapha
Tel: 518 6737/ 2518 4485
Email: hospice@ swazi.net

Source: http://www.observer.org.sz/index.php?news=41102

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