Care Giving as an Occupational Role in the Dying Process

Abstract

Being involved in the death and dying process as a professional, family member, friend, or patient means taking on an occupational role that will impact one's life. Types of occupational roles associated with death and dying, and how these roles influence the participants, are explored in relation to concepts presented in the Model of Human Occupation. Also addressed is the potential for a care-giving role to bring on distress in the form of role imbalance or role changes, or because of inability to adequately fulfill the role. Suggestions for seeking relative balance within and among roles are presented.

KEYWORDS:

• Care-giving
• death
• dying
• occupational roles
• Model of Human Occupation