Exploring the will to live and distinguishing depression at end of life

Will to Live, an existential aspect of human aging, can be self-assessed and holds potential for practitioners to engage elders to promote well-being and end-of-life planning. Late-life depression, carrying with it the risk of suicide, must be distinguished from decisions not clouded by this treatab...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Generations (San Francisco, Calif.) Calif.), 2014-10, Vol.38 (3), p.30-36
Main Authors: Damron-Rodriguez, JoAnn, Carmel, Sara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Depression (Psychology)
Health
Illness
Longevity
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Mortality
Motivation
Nurses
Older people
Original
Psychological aspects
Quality of life
Social Science Research
Studies
Suicide
Well Being
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Summary:Will to Live, an existential aspect of human aging, can be self-assessed and holds potential for practitioners to engage elders to promote well-being and end-of-life planning. Late-life depression, carrying with it the risk of suicide, must be distinguished from decisions not clouded by this treatable disease. Research identifies the interrelated aspects of late life that impact will to live In this article, a group of seasoned geriatric practitioners and educators from Israel and the United States provide ideas on the value of will-to-live conversations in practice. The authors conclude that the will to live provides a more holistic and person-centered perspective on end of life than the current focus on specific end-of-life healthcare prerogatives.
ISSN:0738-7806
2694-5126