TY - JOUR
T1 - Growing old and getting sick: Maintaining a positive spirit at the end of life
AU - Clarke, David Murray
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - End of life throws up significant mental health challenges. A high proportion of people in the terminal stages of illness experience depressive symptoms. This paper integrates a theory of hierarchy of human needs and empirical research describing experiences of grief and depression in terminal illness, to develop a model of care aimed at reducing depression and suffering. This care attends to physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects, taking into account the concerns of patients and their families. Professional help can be offered to patients to restore dignity and hope, strengthen their ways of coping, and encourage social connections. To offer this, a well-resourced and coordinated, multidisciplinary and skilled workforce is needed.
AB - End of life throws up significant mental health challenges. A high proportion of people in the terminal stages of illness experience depressive symptoms. This paper integrates a theory of hierarchy of human needs and empirical research describing experiences of grief and depression in terminal illness, to develop a model of care aimed at reducing depression and suffering. This care attends to physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects, taking into account the concerns of patients and their families. Professional help can be offered to patients to restore dignity and hope, strengthen their ways of coping, and encourage social connections. To offer this, a well-resourced and coordinated, multidisciplinary and skilled workforce is needed.
UR - http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/action/showPdf?submitPDF=Full+Text+PDF+%28247+KB%29&doi=10.1111%2Fj.1440-1584.2007.00867.x
U2 - 10.1111%2Fj.1440-1584.2007.00867.x
DO - 10.1111%2Fj.1440-1584.2007.00867.x
M3 - Article
VL - 15
SP - 148
EP - 154
JO - Australian Journal of Rural Health
JF - Australian Journal of Rural Health
SN - 1038-5282
IS - 3
ER -