Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Gradual Dying and End-of-Life Care, Part 2
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Gradual Dying and End-of-Life Care, Part 2
This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life -- things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death -- the death of people you love and your own death.
The Bible says in Psalm 146:2-4: "While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish."
The featured quote for this episode is from Martin Luther King Jr. He said, "No one really knows why they are alive until they know what they'd die for."
Our topic for today is titled "Gradual Dying and End-of-Life Care (Part 2)" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll.
--- A Unique Opportunity
Unfortunately today, fewer people are caring for more elderly.
Chronic illnesses mean that dying takes a longer period of time and involves more complicated medical issues. Despite these challenges, the trend toward gradual dying offers a unique opportunity. "For the first time in human history," Kiernan writes, "we can anticipate our mortality." Of course, the fact of death is not new, but our ability to be reasonably certain that it is or is not around the corner is exceptional. Not only can we look our own death in the eye, but we may have years to do so, during which time we can still work, enjoy family or go on a mission trip. Many Christians find in these final years the opportunity to experience the most valuable years of life.
One gerontologist in the Chicago suburbs confirms the findings of numerous studies. "Less than ten percent of my patients experience unexpected, sudden death," says John Dunlop. He is aware that the thought of a slow decline is frightening to many. "You ask anybody how they want to die today, and they say 'Make it quick,' " he says.
Instead of fearing the slow decline, Dunlop, who has cared for hundreds of elderly patients, says, "I hope I die slowly." A slow death offers opportunities to spend time with family, say goodbye and slowly orient a person toward life with God, he says. "I think most people who have thought it through will say there are more advantages to my family with my dying slow. It's kind of selfish to want to die fast."
...
View all episodes
By Daniel Whyte IIIThis podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life -- things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death -- the death of people you love and your own death.
The Bible says in Psalm 146:2-4: "While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish."
The featured quote for this episode is from Martin Luther King Jr. He said, "No one really knows why they are alive until they know what they'd die for."
Our topic for today is titled "Gradual Dying and End-of-Life Care (Part 2)" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll.
--- A Unique Opportunity
Unfortunately today, fewer people are caring for more elderly.
Chronic illnesses mean that dying takes a longer period of time and involves more complicated medical issues. Despite these challenges, the trend toward gradual dying offers a unique opportunity. "For the first time in human history," Kiernan writes, "we can anticipate our mortality." Of course, the fact of death is not new, but our ability to be reasonably certain that it is or is not around the corner is exceptional. Not only can we look our own death in the eye, but we may have years to do so, during which time we can still work, enjoy family or go on a mission trip. Many Christians find in these final years the opportunity to experience the most valuable years of life.
One gerontologist in the Chicago suburbs confirms the findings of numerous studies. "Less than ten percent of my patients experience unexpected, sudden death," says John Dunlop. He is aware that the thought of a slow decline is frightening to many. "You ask anybody how they want to die today, and they say 'Make it quick,' " he says.
Instead of fearing the slow decline, Dunlop, who has cared for hundreds of elderly patients, says, "I hope I die slowly." A slow death offers opportunities to spend time with family, say goodbye and slowly orient a person toward life with God, he says. "I think most people who have thought it through will say there are more advantages to my family with my dying slow. It's kind of selfish to want to die fast."
...