This book provides an introduction to the key issues in the sociology of death and dying. In recent years, the social sciences have seen an upsurge of interest in death and dying. The fascination with death is reflected in popular media such as newspapers, television documentaries, films and soaps, and, moreover, in the multiplying range of professional roles associated with dying and death. Yet despite its ubiquitous significance, the majority of texts in the field have been written primarily for health professionals. This book breaks with that tradition. It provides a comprehensive discussion of the key topics in death and dying and in so doing demonstrates that the study of mortality is germane to all areas of sociology. The book is organized thematically, utilizing empirical material from cross-national and cross-cultural perspectives. It carefully addresses questions about social attitudes to mortality, the social nature of death and dying, explanations for change and diversity in approaches, and traditional, modern and postmodern experiences of death.
This book provides an introduction to the key issues in the sociology of death and dying. In recent years, the social sciences have seen an upsurge of interest in death and dying. The fascination with death is reflected in popular media such as newspapers, television documentaries, films and soaps, and, moreover, in the multiplying range of professional roles associated with dying and death. Yet despite its ubiquitous significance, the majority of texts in the field have been written primarily for health professionals. This book breaks with that tradition. It provides a comprehensive discussion of the key topics in death and dying and in so doing demonstrates that the study of mortality is germane to all areas of sociology. The book is organized thematically, utilizing empirical material from cross-national and cross-cultural perspectives. It carefully addresses questions about social attitudes to mortality, the social nature of death and dying, explanations for change and diversity in approaches, and traditional, modern and postmodern experiences of death.
Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care, 2(3), 2006, pp.61-85.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia
Glaser and Strauss reported decades ago that in order for a person to be treated as dying, he/she must be defined as dying. Defining nursing home residents as "dying" can be complicated because most residents are in advanced old age with multiple chronic conditions. Using a social construction theoretical framework, this study looks at the step before the declaration of dying, that is, the consideration of the possibility of dying. This qualitative study is a secondary analysis of prospective data collected during 16 months of fieldwork on behalf of 45 nursing home residents whose health was considered declining. The purpose of this paper is to build understanding about the social construction of "possible dying" by reporting triggers that can call the question of possible dying and stimulate the question of possible dying, including families having a sense of treatments they would like to avoid and having the opportunity to talk through options. Findings are discussed in light of basic assumptions of social construction. Implications for social workers include helping residents, families, and staff anticipate and address the possibility of dying, and to reflect these discussion in care plans, as well as the need to be available to help residents and family members with psychosocial issues related to living and dying in the nursing home setting, including the profound issues that can be provoked or exacerbated by resident health status decline and possible dying. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY
Glaser and Strauss reported decades ago that in order for a person to be treated as dying, he/she must be defined as dying. Defining nursing home residents as "dying" can be complicated because most residents are in advanced old age with multiple chronic conditions. Using a social construction theoretical framework, this study looks at the step before the declaration of dying, that is, the consideration of the possibility of dying. This qualitative study is a secondary analysis of prospective data collected during 16 months of fieldwork on behalf of 45 nursing home residents whose health was considered declining. The purpose of this paper is to build understanding about the social construction of "possible dying" by reporting triggers that can call the question of possible dying and stimulate a discussion about the nursing home resident's status, prognosis, care options, and preferences. These triggers include: Health status decline; non-compliance with diet or medications; available medical interventions not being well suited for the residents; and family consideration of an out-of-town trip. The paper also reports barriers (family, staff, and disease process) and facilitators to calling the question of possible dying, including families having a sense of treatments they would like to avoid and having the opportunity to talk through options. Findings are discussed in light of basic assumptions of social construction. Implications for social workers include helping residents, families, and staff anticipate and address the possibility of dying, and to reflect these discussion in care plans, as well as the need to be available to help residents and family members with psychosocial issues related to living and dying in the nursing home setting, including the profound issues that can be provoked or exacerbated by resident health status decline and possible dying. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
This publication seeks to answer the kinds of questions and concerns that people living with severe MS may have. These questions may include: What kinds of complex symptoms are associated with severe MS? What care and support is available? What can be done to plan for the future treatment and care? How can users ensure their wishes are respected? What is palliative care and is it appropriate for people with MS? And, questions about the very end of life.
This publication seeks to answer the kinds of questions and concerns that people living with severe MS may have. These questions may include: What kinds of complex symptoms are associated with severe MS? What care and support is available? What can be done to plan for the future treatment and care? How can users ensure their wishes are respected? What is palliative care and is it appropriate for people with MS? And, questions about the very end of life.
Subject terms:
informed consent, multiple sclerosis, palliative care, dying;
The experience of dying and death has changed considerably over the last century. At the beginning of the 20th century, children aged 0-4 were the age group with the highest proportion of deaths. Improvements in public health, including the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, greatly reduced the proportion of deaths in childhood and early adulthood. By 1951 the position had changed
The experience of dying and death has changed considerably over the last century. At the beginning of the 20th century, children aged 0-4 were the age group with the highest proportion of deaths. Improvements in public health, including the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, greatly reduced the proportion of deaths in childhood and early adulthood. By 1951 the position had changed to one in which people aged 75 years and over accounted for 39% of deaths. By 2004, 65% of all people who died were aged 75 and over. The causes of death have also changed. More people now die as a result of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cerebrovascular disease (including stroke), respiratory disease and cancer.
Background: end-of-life care is not always in line with end-of-life preferences, so patients do not always die at their preferred place of death (PPD). This study aims to identify factors associated with patients’ PPD and changes in PPD. Methods: we prospectively collected data on PPD at four time points within 6 months from 230 acutely hospitalised older patients who were part of the control group in a stepped-wedge randomised controlled trial. Associations between patient characteristics and preferences were calculated using multivariable (multinomial) logistic regression analysis. Results: the mean age of participants was 80.7 years. 47.8% of the patients had no PPD at hospital admission. Patients previously admitted to hospital preferred to die at home (home versus no preference: odds ratio [OR] 2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–4.92; home versus healthcare facility: OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.15–9.16). Patients with more chronic diseases preferred the healthcare facility as their PPD (healthcare facility versus no preference: OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.09–1.61; healthcare facility versus home: OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.00–1.47). 32 of 65 patients changed their preference during follow-up, and most of these had no PPD at hospital admission (home versus no preference: OR 0.005, 95% CI ≤0.001–0.095) and poorer self-rated well-being (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.07–3.08). Conclusions: almost half of the patients had no PPD at baseline. Previous hospital admission, having more chronic diseases and living alone are associated with having a PPD. Introducing PPD could make older people aware of PPD and facilitate optimal palliative care.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Background: end-of-life care is not always in line with end-of-life preferences, so patients do not always die at their preferred place of death (PPD). This study aims to identify factors associated with patients’ PPD and changes in PPD. Methods: we prospectively collected data on PPD at four time points within 6 months from 230 acutely hospitalised older patients who were part of the control group in a stepped-wedge randomised controlled trial. Associations between patient characteristics and preferences were calculated using multivariable (multinomial) logistic regression analysis. Results: the mean age of participants was 80.7 years. 47.8% of the patients had no PPD at hospital admission. Patients previously admitted to hospital preferred to die at home (home versus no preference: odds ratio [OR] 2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–4.92; home versus healthcare facility: OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.15–9.16). Patients with more chronic diseases preferred the healthcare facility as their PPD (healthcare facility versus no preference: OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.09–1.61; healthcare facility versus home: OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.00–1.47). 32 of 65 patients changed their preference during follow-up, and most of these had no PPD at hospital admission (home versus no preference: OR 0.005, 95% CI ≤0.001–0.095) and poorer self-rated well-being (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.07–3.08). Conclusions: almost half of the patients had no PPD at baseline. Previous hospital admission, having more chronic diseases and living alone are associated with having a PPD. Introducing PPD could make older people aware of PPD and facilitate optimal palliative care.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, dying, choice, death, end of life care;
... advance care planning as part of more general life planning; dying well conversations framed to reflect changing needs and preferences across time, rather than the last few days of life, had the greatest potential to be wellbeing enhancing. Six areas of research interest were identified in relation to wellbeing at the end of life: conceptual view; measures; cohort identification; care; wider wellbeing
(Edited publisher abstract)
A summary of practitioner conversations and views gathered in April-May 2021, about what really matters to people with life-limiting or terminal illness, and how to develop support which puts their wellbeing, and that of their family and close relations, at its heart.
What Works Centre for Wellbeing brought together practitioners, academics and individuals to explor how we can support people to live well with a terminal illness, how to value the things that matter, and how to use evidence from across sectors to provide better services for wellbeing. This briefing provides a summary of three topics: wellbeing conversations at the end of life; a good place to die; and understanding and measuring wellbeing at the end of life. Recommendations for practice include: more could be done to place advance care planning as part of more general life planning; dying well conversations framed to reflect changing needs and preferences across time, rather than the last few days of life, had the greatest potential to be wellbeing enhancing. Six areas of research interest were identified in relation to wellbeing at the end of life: conceptual view; measures; cohort identification; care; wider wellbeing impacts of death, grief and loss; and advance care planning.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
end of life care, wellbeing, dying, staff views, research;
International Journal of Care and Caring, 4(4), 2020, pp.595-598.
Publisher:
Policy Press
Dying alone has never been a normative event in our society. The coronavirus pandemic has precipitously created an environment of fear and panic, leading to the elimination of the dying vigil as a societal spiritual norm. Many patients have died, and continue to die, alone in their beds without their families or loved ones. Protection of healthcare workers and mitigation of legal liability
(Edited publisher abstract)
Dying alone has never been a normative event in our society. The coronavirus pandemic has precipitously created an environment of fear and panic, leading to the elimination of the dying vigil as a societal spiritual norm. Many patients have died, and continue to die, alone in their beds without their families or loved ones. Protection of healthcare workers and mitigation of legal liability are purported to be valid justifications for policies that have implemented these restrictions. Yet, historically, the death vigil has been a highly valued event, and seen as an act of community and a spiritual event, in which the person is recognised as more than just a note in the medical record. Two institutions developed policies that respect the death vigil while simultaneously remaining postured to protect healthcare workers. These institutions defied the current trend observed in many clinical environments and refused to let patients die alone.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Covid-19, dying, end of life care, ethics, residential care;
How long do people want to live? Why do some people want to live a very long time, and others would rather die relatively young? The current study examines the extent to which the preference to die young (<80 years, less than average life expectancy) or to live somewhat longer or much longer than average life expectancy (90-99 years or 100+ years, respectively) is related to a person's positive and negative expectations of what their life will be like in old age. The authors use multinomial regression analysis based on survey data from a large sample of younger and middle-aged adults in the United States of America (USA) (N = 1,631, age 18-64 years). The authors statistically control for socio-demographic characteristics as well as self-reported happiness and health. Main finding: that having fewer positive expectations for their own old age distinguishes people who prefer to die relatively young, while having fewer negative expectations distinguishes people who want to live beyond current levels of life expectancy. The results provide evidence that pessimistic expectations of life in old age can undermine the desire to live up to and beyond current average life expectancy. The study also provides descriptive data about how young and middle-aged adults in the USA anticipate their own ageing.
(Edited publisher abstract)
How long do people want to live? Why do some people want to live a very long time, and others would rather die relatively young? The current study examines the extent to which the preference to die young (<80 years, less than average life expectancy) or to live somewhat longer or much longer than average life expectancy (90-99 years or 100+ years, respectively) is related to a person's positive and negative expectations of what their life will be like in old age. The authors use multinomial regression analysis based on survey data from a large sample of younger and middle-aged adults in the United States of America (USA) (N = 1,631, age 18-64 years). The authors statistically control for socio-demographic characteristics as well as self-reported happiness and health. Main finding: that having fewer positive expectations for their own old age distinguishes people who prefer to die relatively young, while having fewer negative expectations distinguishes people who want to live beyond current levels of life expectancy. The results provide evidence that pessimistic expectations of life in old age can undermine the desire to live up to and beyond current average life expectancy. The study also provides descriptive data about how young and middle-aged adults in the USA anticipate their own ageing.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
ageing, older people, attitudes, dying, life expectancy;
Sets out the findings of an online survey of 2,016 adults between the 29th and 30th April 2015 on death and dying. The research finds that: although a third of British think about dying and death at least once a week, 72 per cent of the public believe that people in Britain are uncomfortable discussing dying, death and bereavement; only 35 per cent of the public say they have written a will, 32
(Edited publisher abstract)
Sets out the findings of an online survey of 2,016 adults between the 29th and 30th April 2015 on death and dying. The research finds that: although a third of British think about dying and death at least once a week, 72 per cent of the public believe that people in Britain are uncomfortable discussing dying, death and bereavement; only 35 per cent of the public say they have written a will, 32 per cent that they have registered as an organ donor or have a donor card, 31 per cent that they have taken out life insurance, 27 per cent that they have talked to someone about their funeral wishes and 7 per cent that they have written down their wishes or preferences about their future care, should they be unable to make decisions for themselves; just 18 per cent of British adults say they have asked a family member about their end of life wishes; and amongst parents who had children under 18 living with them, less than a third (28 per cent) say they had written a will, risking wishes about who would look after the children and inheritance not being met. Just 40 per cent of parents who had children under 18 living with them said they had ever taken out life insurance. The survey also finds that three-quarters of people agree that providing end of life care should be a fundamental part of the work of the NHS, with almost two-thirds agreeing that end of life care should be a priority for the new Government.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
surveys, public opinion, death, dying, palliative care;
Ageing and Society, 31(2), February 2011, pp.217-242.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
In this paper, the authors present data from research on couples where one partner died, drawing on a study of the financial implications of a partner's death. Information was gathered from a study based on the British Household Panel Survey of over 750 couples separated by death, and from interviews with 44 recently bereaved women and men from all age groups. The article describes the findings on adopting an identity of caregiving, people's characteristics and circumstances, health care needs, service contacts, and trends over time, and discusses models showing a range of factors and their success in predicting whether people described themselves as providing care. The study findings showed that carer self-identification was influenced by the partner's health care needs and service contacts, including welfare benefits receipts. The authors conclude that further research is required to investigate the circumstances under which providing care equates with adopting or assigning a carer identity.
In this paper, the authors present data from research on couples where one partner died, drawing on a study of the financial implications of a partner's death. Information was gathered from a study based on the British Household Panel Survey of over 750 couples separated by death, and from interviews with 44 recently bereaved women and men from all age groups. The article describes the findings on adopting an identity of caregiving, people's characteristics and circumstances, health care needs, service contacts, and trends over time, and discusses models showing a range of factors and their success in predicting whether people described themselves as providing care. The study findings showed that carer self-identification was influenced by the partner's health care needs and service contacts, including welfare benefits receipts. The authors conclude that further research is required to investigate the circumstances under which providing care equates with adopting or assigning a carer identity.
Subject terms:
informal care, partners, self-concept, carers, dying;