Perspective of Death in the Elderly and Youth

Death is a part of working in the medical field.  One can feel a variety of emotions, such as guilt, frustration, and mourning.  One question that I have been asked as a student is how you deal with it and how does it get easier?  The answer however depends on the situation, the health care professional, and the connection that the individual had.

An example is having a 20 year old female who has flat lined due to hemorrhaging from a gun wound and a 92 year old man who passes due to organ failure.  People may find it to be a harder experience having the female pass rather than the elderly man for a variety of reasons.  Many nurses find age to be a major factor in how death affects them.  They feel an older patient passing way is easier than someone young since it is nature taking its course and they have gotten to experience a lot of life.  However, someone younger may be missing out on many opportunities such as getting married, buying their first house, and having a family.

Depending on the relationship having someone pass may be extremely difficult.  An example of such is having a resident at a care home which you have cared for for seven years compared to someone who you had meet only moments ago.

Guilt can come into play when a professional is required to perform CPR or needs to take other life saving measures.  For instance a victim that has drown and passed from unsuccessful resuscitation may be more harder to accept than letting someone pass on their own from natural causes.  One may feel that they could have done something different or if only they had tried another technique could they have changed the outcome.

Mixed feelings of emotions are normal but one must be able to move on and work through them.  Talking with other nurses might help or writing a journal in order to relieve feelings can make it easier to put ones mind at ease.  Depending on the facility their may be support groups or social workers who will come around and talking with staff after a devastating loss.  It is important that one can express their feelings and emotions in a healthy and beneficial way.

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