In our ageing societies, have we lost the art of dying?

This article brings up the point, that for most, dying an institutionalized death is something most of us will experience.

David Dodwell, references Dr. Atul Gawande's book, Being Mortal, in which Dr. Gawande speaks about even with modern medicine, we, as a society, have lost the art of dying.

"It is a final phase that is nowadays rarely spent at home surrounded by a caring family, but in a nursing home – safe, but regimented and full of impersonal routines that cut off all the things an older person cares about, empty of friendships, privacy and a purpose in each day".

"But, as old age has become more common, so our capacity to deal with death in old age seems to have deteriorated".

For most of us, we assume that we will make it to "old age", although there are no guarantees.  If we do make it, have we made the necessary plans to live out our old age?  Have we taken the time needed to look at what our wishes and goals are for when we age?  Have we  been proactive, and carefully looked at what's important to us, and how to achieve these goals?

We need to start having the conversations, so we can be prepared, the best we can, and bring our loved ones into the conversations, so they understand wishes for old age and dying.

Begin your conversations now.

In our ageing societies, have we lost the art of dying?