Module 14 - Assisting A Person Who Is Dying Key Terms

Chapter 47 Caring for a Client Who is Dying Terms: Palliative Care, Living Will, Advance Directive, Postmortem Care, Grief, Rigor Mortis _______________!

KT 14

A legal document in which a person states wishes about future health care, treatment, and personal care. The document is signed when the person is in a healthy state of mind and put into effect when the person is unable to make or express his or her wishes. It is usually done in consultation with the client, his or her next of kin (usually one with power of attorney), the clients physician, and the agencys director of care (usually the nurse or supervisor in charge. Also known as an advance care directive or a living well. The process of moving from deep sorrow caused by loss toward healing and recovery. A document that lets the reader (ex: health care professionals or family members) know ones preferences about care intended to sustain life. In most long-term care facilities it is part of an advance directive. Anyone can have this document, however, it is not legally enforceable. Services for people with progressive life-threatening illnesses or conditions which aim to relieve suffering and improve comfort, not cure the illness. Also known as end-of-life care. Care of the body after death. The stiffness or rigidity of skeletal muscles that occurs after death.

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Note: Denitions derived from Mosbys Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker (3rd Ed)

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