Elderly and Death

Question 1

Definition of Ageism

Answer 1

Prejudice & discrimination against the elderly

Question 2

Definition of a Care home

Answer 2

A home for elderly people who are ill and need specialist treatment

Question 3

Definition of death

Answer 3

Usually decided when the brain stops functioning

Question 4

Definition of Euthanasia

Answer 4

From the Greek meaning ‘a good/easy death’. It is mainly seen as a release for those suffering with an incurable and/or degenerative disease, or for those who are in a permanent vegetative state (PVS)

Question 5

Definition of Extended family

Answer 5

The whole family including grandparents, cousins etc.

Question 6

Definition of Generation gap

Answer 6

A difference between the views of different generations

Question 7

Definition of Heaven

Answer 7

A state of being with God after death

Question 8

Definition of Hell

Answer 8

A state of being without God (or being with the devil)

Question 9

Definition of Hippocratic oath

Answer 9

An oath used to swear, promising to preserve life

Question 10

Definition of Hospice

Answer 10

A special place for people with terminal illnesses, where they are given palliative care rather than medical treatment, & helped to die with dignity

Question 11

Definition of Life-support machine

Answer 11

A machine which prevents someone dying, by supporting their breathing. Without it they would die

Question 12

Definition of mourning

Answer 12

A period of time when someone is grieving

Question 13

Definition of palliative care

Answer 13

Dealing with pain, without treating the cause of the illness. Associated with illnesses

Question 14

Definition of purgatory

Answer 14

A time after death for being prepared for heaven

Question 15

Definition of Reincarnation

Answer 15

Being born again in another form (rebirth)

Question 16

Definition of Residential Home

Answer 16

A large building with individual rooms for elderly residents. Meals are provided and there is a communal room with a chance to socialise

Question 17

Definition of Sheltered Housing

Answer 17

A complex of small flats for elderly residents, with a warden on site & an emergency cord

Question 18

Definition of Suicide

Answer 18

When someone kills him or herself

Question 19

Definition of Voluntary Euthanasia

Answer 19

When someone asks a doctor or friend to help them to die peacefully & with dignity. They are usually terminally ill

Question 20

Problems faced by the elderly

Answer 20

Rely only on pension & benefits
Feel undervalued & discarded if forced to retire 
More prone to certain illnesses
Less mobile 
Loneliness 
May feel like a burden on families

Question 21

Buddhist beliefs about the elderly

Answer 21

Should be respected because of wisdom & experience
Children have responsibility for care
Looking after parents (and grandparents) provides an opportunity to gain good karma
‘Right action’ (eightfold path)
Caring for the elderly should focus on metta (loving kindness) and karuna (compassion)

Question 22

Christian beliefs about the elderly

Answer 22

Should support elderly
Churches provide facilities for them
Jesus said, ‘love one another as I’ve loved you’

Question 23

Hindu beliefs about the elderly

Answer 23

It is part of the 5 daily duties (Pitri Yajna) to serve & care for parents
Promotes good karma
‘As your will is your deed’

Question 24

Muslim beliefs about the elderly

Answer 24

Whole family duty to care for the elderly
Sending elderly parents to a home is seen as disrespectful
Teaches that you should ‘rub the nose of those who do not respect their parents in the dirt’ (Hadith)

Question 25

Jewish beliefs about the elderly

Answer 25

The fifth commandment - 'show respect to the elderly' (Leviticus 19:32) Encourage the extended family but the Jewish community will provide specialist homes

Question 26

Sikh beliefs about the elderly

Answer 26

They have a duty to look after parents Obligation - selfless service (sewa) Sikh community offers day care to the elderly in the Gurdwara

Question 27

Reasons for euthanasia

Answer 27

You can mourn people you love without seeing them suffer A person's body is their own so they should be able to choose what to do (God given free will) If you are unhappy there is no point to life - value of life diminishes To assist someone to die is an act of love not violence

Question 28

Reasons against Euthanasia

Answer 28

Friends and family may be upset It breaks the Hippocratic Oath Life is a gift. No matter how bad the pain is we must hold on We can't play God In some cases there may be a chance of recovery. A cure may be discovered

Question 29

What are the 4 types of Euthanasia

Answer 29

Active Passive Voluntary Involuntary

Question 30

What is active euthanasia

Answer 30

Killing someone to end their suffering, committing suicide or assisting someone to commit suicide. This may be by lethal injections or overdoses. This is illegal in Britain but legal in other countries like Holland

Question 31

What is passive euthanasia

Answer 31

This allows people who are being kept alive artificially (through a life-support machine) to die. This is legal in Britain

Question 32

What is voluntary euthanasia

Answer 32

When a person asks someone to end their life so that they can escape pain and suffering as they are unable to do it themselves

Question 33

What is involuntary euthanasia

Answer 33

When a person's life is ended without their permission to avoid further suffering (e.g. turning off their life support machine). This may require permission of the court

Question 34

Buddhist teachings about euthanasia

Answer 34

To harm a living thing is wrong. 'I will not harm any living thing' (First Precept). Euthanasia goes against this, however if the intention is merciful it could be allowed (Right intention - eightfold path)

Question 35

Christian beliefs about euthanasia

Answer 35

They disagree with euthanasia because they believe you should trust in God for healing however they also believe God didn't want people to suffer

Question 36

Hindu beliefs about euthanasia

Answer 36

Suffering is believed to be a result of bad karma from a previous life & harming a living thing is not allowed (Ahimsa)

Question 37

Muslim beliefs about euthanasia

Answer 37

Only Allah can take life but passive euthanasia is accepted. 'Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause' (Qur'an 17:33)

Question 38

Jewish beliefs about euthanasia

Answer 38

Only God can give and take life. 'You shall not murder' (Exodus 20:13)

Question 39

Sikh beliefs about euthanasia

Answer 39

Certain cases of Euthanasia are accepted and only God can give & take life

Question 40

What is the goal of palliative care

Answer 40

To achieve the best possible quality of life for patients and their families

Question 41

What do hospices do

Answer 41

Provide relief from pain & other distressing symptoms Help patients & families to deal with psychological & spiritual issues surrounding death It does not involve quickening or postponing death