Death preparedness: a concept analysis

Abstract

The concept of death preparedness in the process of dying should be the focus of research to explore areas to improve advanced directive planning and acceptance of palliation for chronic health conditions.

The experience of palliative care service provision for people with non‐malignant respiratory disease and their family carers: An all‐Ireland qualitative study

“…Death preparedness can be defined as the readiness for death (Hebert, Prigerson, Schulz, & Arnold, 2006) experienced by the patient and their carer. A contributing factor to being prepared for death is also an awareness of dying (Mc Leod-Sordjan, 2014), however, the present study highlighted how, alongside COPD, patients with bronchiectasis and ILD were unaware of the life limiting nature of the disease and that the patient would die from the disease.…”

Old age and forgoing treatment: a nationwide mortality follow-back study in the Netherlands

“…Administering artificial hydration/nutrition may not have even been considered a care option by the attending physician of the latter age group, due to better acceptance that these oldest patients were nearing death. Acceptance and awareness of dying are closely related and are considered to be key components of dying with dignity,33 being in accordance with the major goal of providing comfort care and considered good medical practice 34…”

Death and caring for dying patients: exploring first-year nursing students' descriptive experiences

“…Some students even attempt to avoid contact entirely with patients at the end of life (Mallory, 2003;Mutto et al, 2010). That health professionals are prepared to speak and interact with dying patients is important since open communication and relationship building has been found to be an essential attribute in patients' preparation for death (McLeod-Sordjan, 2014). Previous research shows that if students participate in educational programmes focusing on death and dying, participants generate a more positive attitude towards caring for end-of-life patients and their families than they would have otherwise (Frommelt, 2003).…”