Final answer:
Psychologists advocate for individuals to reach acceptance when facing terminal illness, aligning with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's five-stage model of grief. This approach facilitates dying with dignity and is reflected in hospice care practices. Laws like the Death with Dignity Act enable patients to decide on their end-of-life treatment options.
Step-by-step explanation:
Psychologists recognize that facing terminal illness is a profound experience and that individuals go through various stages of coping, as outlined by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her five-stage model of grief. These stages include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and, ultimately, acceptance. Instead of isolating oneself or pursuing relentless treatments that may not add quality to life, it is often considered better for dying individuals to reach acceptance of their situation.
Accepting death allows a person to prepare for a peaceful passing and potentially improves the quality of their remaining life. This approach aligns with the concept of dying with dignity, which respects a person's right to eschew extraordinary medical interventions in favor of hospice care or similar types of support that prioritize comfort. Hospice care and these respectful approaches encapsulate the philosophy of Cicely Saunders, who advocated for a humane and comfortable environment for those at the end of life.
While the Death with Dignity Act in Oregon and similar laws in other states have sparked debate, they are manifestations of this philosophy, affirming the right of terminally ill patients to make choices about their end-of-life care. However, individuals and cultures respond differently to the idea of death, with factors such as religious beliefs and community support affecting the grieving process.