Elderly people's perception of what could help us to die in peace.

Abstract

Recent changes in our society have led to the denial of death, both at a social level and in the medical field particularly, using all the therapeutic procedures available in order to avoid it, and considering death as a failure of knowledge when it appears. Death cannot be delayed indefinitely and when it comes the most important is to ensure the necessary conditions to meet a peacefully death. The objective of this study was to analyze those aspects that could facilitate a death in peace according to the elderly, as well as analyze the influence of sociodemographic variables. 152 adults aged between 50 and 77 have completed the Dying in Peace Questionnaire. The results show as the most important aspects at the end of life for the elderly, those related to the closeness of loved ones, the control of physical suffering and the meaning of life. In contrast, the two least valued factors have been to believe in another life after death and to think that I may die at home. Differential analyses according to sociodemographic variables show statistically significant differences depending on whether or not the elderly suffered a disease close to death and on religious beliefs. Likewise, significant correlations have been found with age. To know those factors prioritized by elderly at the end of life, will allow us to offer a more tailored attention to their particular needs, bearing in mind possible individual differences.

Keywords

• muerte
• afrontamiento
• mayores
• morir en paz