The final challenge of aging: Death and dying

Age-related changes in health require constant adaptation and culminate in the final challenge of aging-death and the dying process. This chapter focuses on psychological aspects of death and dying, with an emphasis on the experiences, perspectives, and needs of older adults. Research concerning age-related differences in response to mortality is reviewed, and applied work relating to specific aspects of death and dying, such as hospice and palliative care, the role of the medical community (and their own death-anxiety) is also explored. We consider the concept of a “good death” and how older adults may be uniquely equipped to contemplate and cope with approaching mortality.