Loss, Grief, and Dying

• Loss - Occurs when a valued person, object, or situation is changed or made inaccessible
• Types of Loss

  • Actual Loss - can be recognized by others as well as the person sustaining the loss.
• Types of Loss

  • Perceived Loss - felt by the person but is intangible to others (e.g. loss of youth, of financial independence).
• Types of Loss

  • Anticipated loss – experienced before the loss actually occurs.
• Types of Loss

  • Psychological loss - caused by an altered self image and the inability to return to his or her occupation.
• Types of Loss

  • Maturational Loss – experienced as a result of natural developmental processes.
• Types of Loss

  
  

  • Situational Loss- experienced as a result of an unpredictable event, e.g. disease, death, natural disaster
• Grief - the emotional response to loss, including grief, anger, and sadness.
• Bereavement - state of grieving during which a person goes through grief reaction.
• Mourning - period of acceptance of loss and grief during which the person learns to deal with the loss.
• Kubler-Ross Grief and Death Reactions

  • Denial and Isolation
  • Anger
  • Bargaining
  • Depression
  • Acceptance
• Living wills - provide specific instructions about the kinds of health care that should be provided or foregone in a particular situation
• Durable power of attorney - appoints and agent the person trusts to make decisions in the event of the appointing person’s subsequent incapacity.
• Factors that influence Grief and Dying

  • Developmental
  • Family
  • Socioeconomic
  • Cultural
  • Religious
  • Cause of Death