Care Of Dying Child

In most western societies the death of a child is a rare occurrence. When it does occur, it typically takes place after a period of intensive and often prolonged treatment.

In most industrialised countries today, the death of a child is a rare phenomenon (Papadatou 1997). However, when it does occur, it is often after the child has received long and complex medical interventions aimed at curing their illness or prolonging their life. As uncommon as childhood death may be, for those families who have to confront the problems of caring for a terminally ill child, the burden is great. For the healthcare workers too, dealing with the particular problems of the dying child and their family, as well as acknowledging and coming to terms with their own sadness, can provoke considerable stress and anxiety (Goldman 1994).

According to a report published by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aging (AGDHA) (2004), the needs of dying children in Australia and most other developed countries have not been addressed to the same extent as the needs of dying older patients.

A dying child under the age of five may be aware of the fact of death but will not really understand it, since he has a limited idea of the future. If a pre-school child asks directly if he is going to die, a reply that he is not going to die that day or that week may be completely reassuring, because a month is too long a period for a child of that age to grasp mentally.

An older child, from about five onwards, has a better understanding of time. If he asks whether he is going to die it is best to give some such answer as "Some children do die when they are seriously ill, but many others get better."

The child's main fears will probably be about separation from his parents and other loved ones. It may be helpful, with the doctor's co-operation, to nurse such children at home. Inevitably this puts great strain on parents, and the pros and cons must be carefully considered.

A dying adolescent, often lonely already because he is making himself independent of the family, may feel extremely isolated. He may take refuge from reality by becomiung child-like again; and he may also experience any or all of the adult reactions of denial of death, anger and depression.

In such situations, the efforts and time given by relatives and friends are of supreme importance.