Question

5. When they understand the unique challenges associated can best support the dying person and the family, and needs. challenges associated with each pattern or trajectory of dying. PSWS person and the family, and individualize care to meet the persons unique a. Why do you think it is important to help a dying person main as possible? to help a dying person maintain their ability to make choices as long b. List two strategies PSWS use to support a dying person to maintain choices. Integrating into Practice 6. It is important that you share information with the health care team about the dying person's prefere es and coals of care Reflect on what you would want your family and the health care team to kn

Answer 1

Answer a:

It is important to help a dying person to maintain their ability to make choices as long as possible because:

1. Terminal illness disturbs a person mentally and physically.
2. It destroys the patient's self-respect.
3. This creates anxiety in the dying patient and this also affects the patient's family members
4. A PSW must understand that a dying person is still 'a person'. Not just a case or a client.
5. If the PSW fails the do so, it undermines the dignity of the patient.
6. This can be rectified by
   1. Treating a patient as an individual
   2. Promoting his/her ability to make choices

Answer b:

Strategies that a PSW can implement are:

1. Asking the patient before grooming the patient. Ask the patient how he/she wants her hair to look like.
2. Ask the patient how she/he wishes to have his/her last rites to be like.
3. Privacy and Secrecy.
   1. Privacy - While changing the clothes of the patient, always cover the patient.
   2. Secrecy - All the information shared by the dying person, should not be divulged by the PSW anywhere ( no gossip).