Question

List and describe the stages of death and dying according to Kubler-Ross. How might you assist a client or patient in meeting these stages? What about family members, how might you assist them as well? IN 350-400 WORDS

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) The 5 stages of death and dying are:

Denial – This is where the patient would generally believe that they are not going to die. Such emotions would help them overcome the fear and anxiety of something as inevitable as death.

Anger – This is the stage where the patient has to believe the reports that they are actually dying. The anger for the situation that they are in, would set in. Furthermore, they would begin to resent their situation and the people around them.

Bargaining – This is the stage where the patient would begin to bargain with family members, doctors and even with God. They believe that they would perhaps win a bargain by saying exactly what they need to say.

Depression – One a patient realises that their attempts at bargaining have been futile, they might go into depression. This is because they have begun to slowly take the road to facing the harsh truth that they are dying.

Acceptance – Finally, in this stage, the patient will have accepted that they are dying and they being to let their true emotions show. They might be expressive with their family and with themselves about how they feel.

If a patient were to go through all of these stages, it would be essential as a doctor or hospital staff member, to be patient with them. It would be essential to restrain them in the anger stage. Talking about how they feel and they heavy emotions they are going through generally helps speed the progress to the stage of acceptance. Although the fear may not completely go, it is essential for them to realise that one should focus on emotions more important than fear at a time like this.

It is important for the family members to know that what the patient is going through is commonplace and that these are all stages to be passed. This would beckon them to also be patient with the person and be supportive through the difficult stages.