Final answer:
Over the past 100 years, there have been changes in the common causes of death due to medical technology, leading to longer life expectancies and shifts from infectious to chronic diseases as causes of death. Challenges in caring for the dying include the need for more long-term and palliative care and support for in-home death preferences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Key Changes in the Way People Die:
Compared to 100 years ago, there are two key changes in the way people die. First, due to advances in medical technology, many diseases and conditions that were once fatal are now treatable, leading to a significant increase in life expectancy. Second, there has been a shift in the common causes of death. Where once infectious diseases were the main cause, now chronic and degenerative diseases such as heart disease and cancer are more prevalent.
Challenges in Providing Care for Dying People:
With the aging population and these changes, the first challenge is meeting the increased need for long-term care, including skilled nursing and palliative care. Another challenge is to support the preference of many people to die at home, as opposed to institutional settings, which requires more complex community-based services and support systems.