Family Bahaviors
Families may feel this feeling when they can’t change what’s happening or stop the pain in the pt.
What is helplessness?
In this stage, people say things like “This can’t be real.” They often feel shock and numbness.
Denial
Nurses can help reduce fear by giving families clear, simple information about the death process.(HINT: Teaching)
What is education?
This symptom is reported by most older adults living independently or in long-term care.
What is daily pain?
This is the first-line pain medicine for older adults
Acetaminophen
When families blame themselves or think they “should’ve done more,” they feel what?
What is guilt?
In this stage, people often ask, “Why me?” And show disruptive behavior.
Anger
When families feel lost or scared, nurses can support them by helping them understand what is happening next in the dying process.
What is explaining what to expect?
What are adverse outcomes of untreated pain?
Not treating pain well can lead to mood changes, sleep problems, and more falls.
These medications help with inflammation but come with higher risks.
What are NSAID’s
Families may want a certain type of time after a loved one dies to help with closure.
What is private time with their loved one?
Anxiety, conflict, and confusion happen during this stage, where people try to make deals with a God
Bargaining
Nurses help families cope by referring them to what types of community resources.
What is support groups and counseling?
What is a bone-thinning condition that increases fracture risk.
Osteoporosis
These pain medicines are used when NSAIDs don’t work.
Opioids?
This fear can be reduced when family and staff stay present with the dying person.
What is fear of abandonment?
Feeling withdrawn, sad, and guilty are signs of this stage.
Depression
This type of communication helps nurses avoid saying the wrong thing
What is therapeutic communication?
Where does symptoms of pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands or feet often comes from?
Neuropathy
Using many medications at once, which increases the risk of side effects.
What is polypharmacy?
Family reactions can be influenced heavilyby these two major factors.
What are culture and religion?
A person becomes calm and says things like “My time has come” in this final stage.
Acceptance
When Nurses must understand the family’s beliefs and values.
What is cultural competence?
This disease process can also be a major cause of pain in older adults.
Cancer
Massage, physical therapy, and acupuncture are examples of these treatments.
What are non-pharmacological treatments?