Dying and End-of-Life Care
摘要
This chapter explores the process of dying and end-of-life (EOL) care, stressing the four core pillars of effective care as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO): physical, emotional, social, and spiritual care. The chapter discusses the major theoretical frameworks for understanding dying, including death trajectories, stage models, and task models. It examines the challenges and offers strategies to support individuals and their families during various trajectories. Furthermore, the chapter introduces the major types of end-of-life care services and various professional roles. It highlights the importance and challenges of advance care planning, providing strategies to overcome them. The chapter also explores the complex ethical and legal considerations for families and professionals. The current status and debates around medically assisted death (physician-assisted suicide) are examined. Ultimately, this chapter presents theories, research, and current issues on understanding and supporting dying individuals and their loved ones.