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The Psychology of Death in Geriatrics
Author(s) -
WEST NORMAN D.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1972.tb00824.x
Subject(s) - loneliness , denial , medicine , geriatrics , feeling , dignity , gerontology , psychiatry , psychotherapist , social psychology , psychology , political science , law
The psychological problems related to the geriatric patient who is nearing death can well be related to geriatric patients in general. The following psychological factors chiefly influence the attitudes of elderly patients toward impending death: 1) mental impairment, 2) the feeling that death represents an end to physical suffering, 3) an end to loneliness, 4) an end to physical inadequacy, 5) the belief that it represents a chance to be reunited with loved ones, and 6) denial of the imminence of of death. Even if death does not intervene immediately, the physician can be of significant help in providing dignity and serenity to the elderly person during his last days.