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;
Highlights a range of widespread failures in care for dying people, revealing that some people at the end of life are unable to get access to social care for help with everyday tasks such as washing and changing clothes, and many families are being left without professional advice on how to care for their dying relative. The report also includes distressing examples such as badly coordinated nursing and care services leading to mix ups with pain medication, and a family members struggling to arrange a home visit from a nurse for their dying mother. The report says that a lack of support for people at home is putting extra pressure on an already overstretched NHS, with people dying in hospital spending an average of 13 days there. The report argues that shifting care out of hospitals
(Edited publisher abstract)
Highlights a range of widespread failures in care for dying people, revealing that some people at the end of life are unable to get access to social care for help with everyday tasks such as washing and changing clothes, and many families are being left without professional advice on how to care for their dying relative. The report also includes distressing examples such as badly coordinated nursing and care services leading to mix ups with pain medication, and a family members struggling to arrange a home visit from a nurse for their dying mother. The report says that a lack of support for people at home is putting extra pressure on an already overstretched NHS, with people dying in hospital spending an average of 13 days there. The report argues that shifting care out of hospitals will be better for people at the end of life and more cost effective, but warns that the right support needs to be in place at home and in other settings to enable this to happen.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
end of life care, dying, access to services, palliative care, integrated care;
This report is a compilation of key findings and information on end of life care that was produced by NEoLCIN and its partners during 2014. It shows that there is a growing understanding within the health sector of what is important to people at the end of life. Key findings from the report include: the proportion of people dying at home or in care homes continues to increase; patients
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report is a compilation of key findings and information on end of life care that was produced by NEoLCIN and its partners during 2014. It shows that there is a growing understanding within the health sector of what is important to people at the end of life. Key findings from the report include: the proportion of people dying at home or in care homes continues to increase; patients with an Electronic Palliative Care Co-ordination System (EPaCCS) record and those receiving palliative care services such as hospice at home, Gold Standards Framework or Macmillan services are more likely to die in the place of their preference; two in five people with dementia die in hospital, indicating that the trend towards increasing hospital deaths for people living with dementia has reversed; factors most important to people at the end of their life were having pain and other symptoms managed effectively, being surrounded by loved ones and being treated with dignity; and more GPs are having conversations with people about their end of life care wishes but 25 per cent still say they have never initiated such a conversation.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
end of life care, palliative care, dementia, dignity, dying;
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;
British Journal of Social Work, 44(8), 2014, pp.2375-2390.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Current models of end-of-life care have originated from the hospice and palliative care movement whose expertise, developed largely with cancer patients, is now being looked to for guidance in developing end-of-life practice for non-cancer dying patients. This paper challenges the social work profession to consider whether the hospice and palliative care model needs to be rethought. It argues
(Edited publisher abstract)
Current models of end-of-life care have originated from the hospice and palliative care movement whose expertise, developed largely with cancer patients, is now being looked to for guidance in developing end-of-life practice for non-cancer dying patients. This paper challenges the social work profession to consider whether the hospice and palliative care model needs to be rethought. It argues that social work is well placed to draw upon its values, culture and experience to help develop a more adequate model of care; and recommends a social model that builds upon the resources and networks already surrounding individuals. This paper argues the benefits of community engagement through network mobilisation.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
dying, social model, end of life care, palliative care, social work;
Does the recording of end-of-life treatment and care wishes make a difference to the quality of people's deaths? Compassion in Dying surveyed more than 2400 British adults who were asked to recall the experience of the last relative or close friend who had died. This report highlights the survey's key findings and makes recommendations for practice. The report finds that almost half of those who have lost someone close to them through a short or long illness, feel their loved one died badly (45%). In cases where the dying person had recorded end of life wishes, relatives and friends are more likely to report that they had a good death (58%). Other key aspects identified which could have also improved the situation for people who did not have a good death were: recording end of life wishes (19%); better communication between the doctor and their loved one (39%); co-ordination of care (33%); and being able to die in a place of their choice (31%). With the recent decision to replace the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) with personalised care plans, Compassion in Dying believes that this report reinforces the importance of advance care planning at the end of life, and the urgent need to put
(Edited publisher abstract)
Does the recording of end-of-life treatment and care wishes make a difference to the quality of people's deaths? Compassion in Dying surveyed more than 2400 British adults who were asked to recall the experience of the last relative or close friend who had died. This report highlights the survey's key findings and makes recommendations for practice. The report finds that almost half of those who have lost someone close to them through a short or long illness, feel their loved one died badly (45%). In cases where the dying person had recorded end of life wishes, relatives and friends are more likely to report that they had a good death (58%). Other key aspects identified which could have also improved the situation for people who did not have a good death were: recording end of life wishes (19%); better communication between the doctor and their loved one (39%); co-ordination of care (33%); and being able to die in a place of their choice (31%). With the recent decision to replace the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) with personalised care plans, Compassion in Dying believes that this report reinforces the importance of advance care planning at the end of life, and the urgent need to put in place workable guidance as soon as possible.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
end of life care, death, dying, surveys, advance care planning;
The author argues for a more open and honest approach when supporting bereaved children argues for a more open and honest approach when supporting bereaved children.
(Publisher abstract)
The author argues for a more open and honest approach when supporting bereaved children argues for a more open and honest approach when supporting bereaved children.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
bereavement, children, social work methods, death, dying;
Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care, 7(4), October 2011, pp.363-382.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia
... It explores the concept of liminality, used to describe someone who is in-between or standing at a threshold. It also considers the concepts of ambiguous dying, and how this affects the person’s social role, and ambiguous loss to understand the interactions between patients and their social support systems. Using a case study, the article analyses the psychological ambiguities present during recovery from
Due to advances in medical technology, an increasing number of patients survive severe critical illnesses that would once have been fatal. During hospitalisation in Intensive Care Units, these patients may have experienced vivid hallucinations as a side effect of their sedating medications. This article considers the complex emotional and psychological aspects of recovery from critical illness. It explores the concept of liminality, used to describe someone who is in-between or standing at a threshold. It also considers the concepts of ambiguous dying, and how this affects the person’s social role, and ambiguous loss to understand the interactions between patients and their social support systems. Using a case study, the article analyses the psychological ambiguities present during recovery from critical illness. It concludes by considering the implications for social work practice, arguing that, in order to support patients and their families, social workers need to understand both the psychological impact of the patient’s illness experiences and the complex ambiguities involved in recovery from critical illness.
Subject terms:
psychology, social work, terminal illness, case studies, dying;
Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care, 7(1), January 2011, pp.99-109.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia
Life-threatening illnesses are not only a medical concern, but a psychological, social and family problem. This article examines the ways in which an individual's spirituality influences responses to life-threatening illness and dying. It begins by differentiating between religion and spirituality, and then delineates the spiritual issues that arise in a life-threatening illness including
Life-threatening illnesses are not only a medical concern, but a psychological, social and family problem. This article examines the ways in which an individual's spirituality influences responses to life-threatening illness and dying. It begins by differentiating between religion and spirituality, and then delineates the spiritual issues that arise in a life-threatening illness including the spiritual needs that arise in the final phases of illness. Spiritual support can be challenging for professionals, who rarely have any specialised training. Because of this, they may be reluctant to enter into conversations discussing religions or spirituality. However, these issues can arise throughout the entire experience of life-threatening illness. As such, professionals should be prepared to engage in these discussions. Recommendations for spiritual assessments and interventions are offered
Subject terms:
religious beliefs, spirituality, terminal illness, dying, end of life care;
Nursing and Residential Care, 13(3), March 2011, pp.137-138, 140.
Publisher:
MA Healthcare Ltd.
Place of publication:
London
'Route to success: achieving quality end of life care in care homes', published by the National End of Life Care Programme, provides a practical approach to providing end of life care. This article looks at the coverage of the guide and how it can be implemented within a care home.
'Route to success: achieving quality end of life care in care homes', published by the National End of Life Care Programme, provides a practical approach to providing end of life care. This article looks at the coverage of the guide and how it can be implemented within a care home.
Subject terms:
care homes, care planning, communication, dying, end of life care;