Being Mortal Questions PDF

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Practice questions about the book Being Mortal and related questions about mortality...

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Being Mortal Questions

Gawande describes the deaths of his grandfather, Sitaram Gawande, in India and of his wife’s grandmother, Alice Hobson, in the United States. What are some major differences in the social contexts in which these deaths took place (in terms of family and institutional support)? Why do these differences exist, do you think? ● Alice’s death was not an easy transition for her because she really valued her independence when she lived alone. She did not want to give up her freedoms and independence if she moved into a nursing home because it would make her feel sad and helpless. Once she is forced into a nursing home, she feels as if she has no control over her life. In the nursing home, the staff takes care of Alice. I think the differences stem from cultural beliefs and practices. In India, the traditions have existed for years. In America, these traditions have lost value and have been replaced because of society. In America, caring for the elderly is seen as a chore rather than something you do to help your family. We do not cherish our eldery like other nations do.

What are the benefits and downsides of the grandfather’s death in India? What are the benefits and downsides of the mother-in-law’s death in the U.S.? What kind of death do you prefer? Why Gawande points out that a medical student’s education has not traditionally included training on helping a patient cope with grief. Why has this been the case? How could such training change our experience with regards to end of life issues? ● A downside of death in India is that it may be stressful for the family to care for the elderly, considering once they reach a certain point, they will need full time care. However, having the family there and being a part of the dying process can be comforting for the person. A major downside of Alice’s death in the U.S. was her loss of freedom and independence, which is very mentally draining. It can be very difficult to surrender your life to live in a nursing home when you previously had complete control over your life. Mental health becomes a big issue. I think Gawande points this out because it is a real issue in America, as we tend to overlook the mental aspect of health. The death process is difficult and complicated for everyone involved, and grieving can be very exhausting. It is hard to come up with a way to help since it can be so different for each individual. However, learning how to cope can help people form better relationships with death, which is rarely seen in the U.S. Many people are terrified to die and will do everything they can to fight old age. Learning how to cope with death and forming a healthier relationship with this unavoidable outcome can help people grieve easier. End of life issues may not be as complicated and upsetting if there is better training.

Gawande proposes a significant overhaul of our current approach to aging, care and dying. How realistic a vision is this in light of our present day outlook? How might we be able to exercise more control in our own personal decision making process as we consider our own mortality? ● I think understanding death more and forming a better relationship with death and mortality would help people understand more about life. People are so worried about dying that they forget that they are living right now. Coming to a deeper understanding can allow us to be okay with the fact that we are imperfect beings. Understanding our mortality may allow us to feel more in control of our lives while still having fun and taking risks. By removing the intense fear surrounding death, it opens up more possibilities for the person. Cicely Saunders, the founder of contemporary hospice care, is quoted as saying that, “Last days need not be lost days.” What does it mean to live in the light of our own mortality? In your opinion, what is involved in a “good death”? ● I think living in the light of our own mortality means living your life to the fullest because you only have a limited amount of time on Earth. It is important to embrace all the positive things about life and be thankful that we somehow get to experience this, because no matter what, we will all die. Death is a natural part of the life cycle and it is important that up to your last days on Earth that you are cherishing the experience. Accepting death allows you to enjoy life more. I think a good death is whatever makes the transition easiest for the person dying. Personally, I would want to be comfortable and surrounded by the people I love. I would want to have done as many things that I enjoy as possible so that I died content. I want the setting to be visually pleasing as well, preferably a setting that allows me to be close to nature. A good death reflects positive, content feelings towards death....