AGING, DEATH, DYING

Himes

2014

The Beginning

of Life

Fertilization: joining together of a male sperm cell and a female egg cell

Chromosomes: threadlike structures found within the nucleus; humans have 46 chromosomes

Genes: basic units of heredity; carry codes for our traits

Heredity vs. Environmentnature v. nurture

• Genes- determine physical characteristics• Do genes affect behavior, intelligence, personality?• Nature (heredity): behave according to genetic

predispositions• Nurture: we act in certain ways because we are taught

to do so• Twin studies show that identical twins reared in the same

household are very similar but may exhibit different personality traits; adoption studies show very similar but may exhibit different personality traits

• Video

Erikson

Adolescent Development• Physical- puberty between 8-12 years old

growth spurts, acne, hair growth, perspiration, ovulation/menstruation, nocturnal emissions

• Social- establish independence, spend time alone, acceptance of body, mature relationships, interest in community

• Emotional- empathy, mood swings, proper expression of emotions, relaxation

Ages

• Chronological- age measured in years

• Biological- age determined by how well various body parts are working

• Social- age measured by your lifestyle and the connections you have with others

AGING

• Physical- weakening of senses, loss of calcium in the bones, stiffening of joints, weakening of muscles

• Mental- dementia, memory loss

• Video

• Social- change in relationships

Death

• Clinical- right after breathing, circulation and brain activity has ceased- 4 minutes to try and resuscitate

• Brain- after 7 minutes

• Somatic- permanent irreversible death, when all organ system have ceased

Stages of grief/dying• Elisabeth Kubler-Ross- psychiatrist; “On Death and Dying”

• Shock/Denial – Refusal to accept that they are dying. Grievers – separation from emotions after the loss of a loved one.

• Anger – The dying/grieving person begins to ask angrily “Why Me?”, or “Why him/her?”

• Bargaining /Yearning – The dying person looks for ways to prolong life. The grievers ache.

• Depression – Realizes that he/she will not live to keep certain promises.

• Acceptance – The dying person finally accepts the reality of death. The survivors are able to go forward with their lives.

Euthanasia

• Literally “good death”• Active- performing an action to cause death• Passive-causing death by not providing

necessary care or treatment• Voluntary- person has requested to die• Non-voluntary- person has not given consent

(unable)• Assisted suicide- guidance or information given

on how to take your own life

Physician Assisted Suicide

• When a doctor helps another person to kill themselves, it is called a “physician assisted suicide.”– In 1997, the states were allowed to decide.

Oregon was the first to allow.

• Video

Advanced Directives

• 18 years old• Legal document• Living will

checklist allows you to document your medical

wishes• Durable Power of Attorney (healthcare proxy)

appoint someone to make medical decisions for you

• Do Not Resuscitatea request not to have CPR performed