A lifelong learning perspective can enhance our understanding of the various competencies acquired over the lifespan, how they interact and, most importantly, how they are likely to contribute to improvements in individual and population health, a reduction in health disparities, potential monetary gains in governments that promote health education and health promotion, and intergenerational gains for overall health. Regarding the ageing population, the defined age groups include the young old (60-75), the old (75-85) and the oldest old (85 and older). Aspects of chronic health issues are highlighted in the context of the groups addressed in this chapter (for chronic disease and health literacy, see Chapter 12, this volume). The aim of this chapter is to address perspectives and related health literacy interventions with a particular focus on ageing, death and dying issues. Health literacy is seen beyond an individual-level issue, as a social or community- level issue. How we define ‘ageing’ or use language to address the concepts of disease, the challenges faced by caretakers and the overall grief and bereavement process at the end of life is emphasised.
Ethical concerns for limiting treatment and end-of-life decisions. Interesting for health and care professionals
The purpose of this review is to quote legal and moral issues that arise in connection with death.
The societal answer. When someone is not self caring, there is no future: narrations by caregivers of dementia sufferers. Interesting for research
The purpose of this paper is to present the opinion of long-term caregivers of demented relatives about when "we" should die. The conclusion was that experienced long-term carers of severely dementia incapacitated relatives consider a critera for a mature/ ripe death to be "non-self-handling" and "when no future exists". At least two-thirds consider that those they care for die after their time and with the exception of one carer, who avoided answering, everyone expressed the opinion that they would want to die earlier than those they care for if they were in their place. It is speculated that a statistically representative sample of caregivers from across the country would give similar answers; however, a well-designed quantitative study is needed to substantiate or reject this conjecture.
We mortals. Interesting for the public
In this book, Atul Gawande combines human stories with his personal wandering in the field of geriatrics and organized care for the elderly, looking for options that will ensure a life of self-sufficiency, joy and dignity. It is a search that is persistent, sincere and deeply moving.