Question

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross wrote in her book on death and dying that there were 5 stages of grief terminally ill patients typically go through. In what order are these 5 stages experienced?

Answer 1

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief, which terminally ill patients commonly experience, are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These stages help outline the process of coming to terms with one's mortality, and hospice care reinforces the acceptance stage by offering end-of-life support.

Step-by-step explanation:

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's Five Stages of Grief

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross identified the five stages of grief that many terminally ill patients experience in her groundbreaking book, On Death and Dying. These stages are experienced in the following order:

Denial

Anger

Bargaining

Depression

Acceptance

During the denial stage, individuals may refuse to accept the reality of their situation, often feeling shocked or in disbelief. The anger stage is marked by feelings of frustration and resentment about the illness. In the bargaining stage, the patient may try to negotiate with a higher power or make promises in exchange for more time. The depression stage involves a deep sense of sadness as patients begin to comprehend the severity of their condition. Finally, in the acceptance stage, individuals come to terms with their mortality and may begin to find peace.

Hospice care serves to provide comfort and support to those in the end stages of life, reinforcing the important final stage of acceptance by ensuring patients spend their last days in a dignified and compassionate manner.