Attitudes and perceptions regarding death and the dying process: An analysis from a gerontological perspective.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/bc4wph61Keywords:
Perception, Death, Dying process, Coping, Older adults.Abstract
The perception of death is the way in which the fact of dying is felt or interpreted and is composed of beliefs, emotions and actions, in the older adult population the emotions that prevail with anxiety and fear the most common, according to the WHO estimates that by 2050 more than 2 billion will be over 65 years old, in Ecuador they represent 9% of the total population where structural barriers persist that make it difficult to address death as a natural process Objective: Determine the perception of older adults about death and the Process of dying in the Canton of Passage, through a survey, for the understanding of their attitudes, emotions and beliefs associated with this stage of life. Methods: This study was of quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional approach, with a sample of 40 older adults who attend the municipal canteen of Pasaje Serpaj, through convenience sampling, meeting criteria of inclusion and informed consent. Results: 75% of the sample has a moderately favorable perception of death, although fears and doubts persist. 57.5% expressed sadness due to the loss of loved ones and 30% suffer from hypertension, being the most frequent chronic pathology. Conclusions: It was possible to identify that older adults have a partial acceptance of the perception of death, predominating fear and sadness. The educational intervention strengthened the emotional coping and the reflection on the process of.
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