What was surprising to you in this chapter? Does having some idea about our history help you to make more sense out of our current practices surrounding death & dying in the U.S.?
I found this chapter to be really interesting. I find it to be suprising to see how people viewed death in the 1800's to now. THen death was seen and viewed in the house hold, but now days already anyone is dying in their home. Most of us will be dying in a nursing home, or in a hospital. Though I find that technology to be extremely useful to preserving life, I find it to be more intrinsicly vaulable to myself to die in my own house with family members around instead of some strange medical professional
I agree with Allen that it is ideal to die in our own home, surrounded by family and loved ones. However, as we have found out in class, this isn't necessarily the case for everyone these days. I do think it is interesting to see how death has evolved from a natural occurence that individuals faced on a fairly regular basis to something that is now put on the backburner- something that is avoided until it can't be anymore. Even when brain functioning of the individual is gone, families fight the inevitable by continuing life support.
Given the extent that medical technology has allowed us to manipulate life, I don't think it's surprising that our outlook on and relationship with death as a society has changed alot. In some ways, we are more fearful due to the situations that are possible today (like ending up braindead, kept alive on machines with failing organs) which we find repulsive. That fear is somewhat amplified by our complete ignorance of death until it's breathing down our neck. This is a luxury and a curse that they didn't have in the middle ages.
The way i see the history of death is that in the 1800's they had nothing else to keep their minds off of it. We have so many distractions around us now, that we don't think of death as a good thing, but something we fear. Our medicine has become so good now to that they can keep people alive as long as they want, and that is another thing that causes our fear of death because we know we can stay alive.
Back then it was part of life because they had no choice but to die at home. They didn't have the regulation or the lifestyles we have today when dealing with someone who are in natural dying stages.
It sounds great to say you want to die at home with your love ones, but it is so much more than that. Not to mention it should be something you are preparing for now everyday to try and make that happen, if it is your true goal as to your end days.
Because now to die at home is not as easy as you would think. They have to bring in a special bed to make it easier to care for you. A family member who can be there all the time to care for you. A hospice worker has to come out and check on you. Then there is the strain on the family who keeps you. It can be very difficult and draining (Emotionally, Physically, Personally and Finacially) on those whom you decide with, to take on such a huge responsibility. Are they prepared to have sporatical visits of people? Them getting in the way of your routine? Them thinking they know what you need or want, when in fact may cause you great distress. And these are just the beginnings of what is to happen to have an "at home death". Make sure you talk to other families you have made this decision and survived it, and do all your homework on it first. You may change your mind or at least be well prepared for it. Make sure you add counslors to your list for those who do say yes, I know they will need someone to help them through it. Good luck on getting your wishes.
I likewise agree with what most people have said. Back in the middle ages they were completely surrounded by death everyday and survival from one day to the next could be a challenge. Their views on death was and is a way of life, but today we have had great advances on prolonging life. Back then people just knew death was almost inevitable and seemed to accept death for they couldn't delay or change outcomes of even the simplest aliments. I also agree that we are so distracted by our own lives with jobs, money, etc that we don't notice the deaths occurring all around us.
I found this chapter to be really interesting. I find it to be suprising to see how people viewed death in the 1800's to now. THen death was seen and viewed in the house hold, but now days already anyone is dying in their home. Most of us will be dying in a nursing home, or in a hospital. Though I find that technology to be extremely useful to preserving life, I find it to be more intrinsicly vaulable to myself to die in my own house with family members around instead of some strange medical professional
ReplyDeleteI agree with Allen that it is ideal to die in our own home, surrounded by family and loved ones. However, as we have found out in class, this isn't necessarily the case for everyone these days. I do think it is interesting to see how death has evolved from a natural occurence that individuals faced on a fairly regular basis to something that is now put on the backburner- something that is avoided until it can't be anymore. Even when brain functioning of the individual is gone, families fight the inevitable by continuing life support.
ReplyDeleteGiven the extent that medical technology has allowed us to manipulate life, I don't think it's surprising that our outlook on and relationship with death as a society has changed alot. In some ways, we are more fearful due to the situations that are possible today (like ending up braindead, kept alive on machines with failing organs) which we find repulsive. That fear is somewhat amplified by our complete ignorance of death until it's breathing down our neck. This is a luxury and a curse that they didn't have in the middle ages.
ReplyDeleteThe way i see the history of death is that in the 1800's they had nothing else to keep their minds off of it. We have so many distractions around us now, that we don't think of death as a good thing, but something we fear. Our medicine has become so good now to that they can keep people alive as long as they want, and that is another thing that causes our fear of death because we know we can stay alive.
ReplyDeleteHello Class,
ReplyDeleteTo: Katrina
Back then it was part of life because they had no choice but to die at home. They didn't have the regulation or the lifestyles we have today when dealing with someone who are in natural dying stages.
It sounds great to say you want to die at home with your love ones, but it is so much more than that. Not to mention it should be something you are preparing for now everyday to try and make that happen, if it is your true goal as to your end days.
Because now to die at home is not as easy as you would think. They have to bring in a special bed to make it easier to care for you. A family member who can be there all the time to care for you. A hospice worker has to come out and check on you. Then there is the strain on the family who keeps you. It can be very difficult and draining (Emotionally, Physically, Personally and Finacially) on those whom you decide with, to take on such a huge responsibility. Are they prepared to have sporatical visits of people? Them getting in the way of your routine? Them thinking they know what you need or want, when in fact may cause you great distress. And these are just the beginnings of what is to happen to have an "at home death". Make sure you talk to other families you have made this decision and survived it, and do all your homework on it first. You may change your mind or at least be well prepared for it. Make sure you add counslors to your list for those who do say yes, I know they will need someone to help them through it. Good luck on getting your wishes.
Irene
I likewise agree with what most people have said. Back in the middle ages they were completely surrounded by death everyday and survival from one day to the next could be a challenge. Their views on death was and is a way of life, but today we have had great advances on prolonging life. Back then people just knew death was almost inevitable and seemed to accept death for they couldn't delay or change outcomes of even the simplest aliments. I also agree that we are so distracted by our own lives with jobs, money, etc that we don't notice the deaths occurring all around us.
ReplyDelete