1. *
*Brain death is the complete and irreversible
loss of brain function (including involuntary
activity necessary to sustain life). Brain death
is one of the two ways of determination of
death, according to the Uniform Determination
of Death Act of the United States (the other
way of determining death being "irreversible
cessation of circulatory and respiratory
functions").[5] It is not the same as persistent
vegetative state, in which the person is "alive".

2. * Often people that suffer brain
death and good candidate for organ
donation. This is a very difficult
thing to discuss with families.
*

3. * Ventilators, feeding tubes, and other medical technologies have made it
much easier to sustain the lives of those with severe brain injuries. But
has the law kept pace with medical advances? At what point is an
individual legally declared dead? The types of severe brain injuries that
raise this difficult question often fall somewhere along the spectrum of
persistent vegetative state and brain death. Someone who is medically
declared brain dead -- meaning there is zero brain activity -- is legally
considered dead.
* What is a Persistent Vegetative State?
* An individual with severe cerebral damage who has been in a chronic
state of unconsciousness for at least four weeks is considered to be in a
persistent vegetative state (PVS). It sometimes is confused with a coma,
but comatose patients are never conscious (while someone with PVS
may exhibit limited wakefulness, including eye movements,
spontaneous body movements, and groaning). - See more at:
http://healthcare.findlaw.com/patient-rights/brain-death-vs-
persistent-vegetative-state-what-is-the-legal-
difference.html#sthash.vrLExYKa.dpuf
*

4. * 1. Be honest and blunt if necessary
* 2. Don’t offer hope that isn’t there
* 3. Coming off life support doesn’t
mean YOU killed them.
* 4. Let them vent, and even be
upset with God. (Psalm 13)
*

5. *
* The stages an individual goes through following a strong shock like death of family member, illness, or
the current strong financial shock.
*
* (1) Denial — "I feel fine."; "This can't be happening, not to me."
*
* (2) Anger — "Why me? It's not fair!"; "How can this happen to me?"; '"Who is to blame?"
*
* (3) Bargaining — "I'll do anything for a few more years."; "I will give my life savings if..."
*
* (4) Depression — "I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"; "I'm going to die soon so what's the point?"; "I
am broke"
*
* (5) Acceptance — "It's going to be okay."; "This is my current reality, I may as well work through it."
*

6. *
*1. Don’t Preach or Share War Stories
*2. Don’t Judge
*3. Listen more than talk
*4. Allow them to be angry…even at God
*5.If they want to alone…let them be alone
*6. Remember men grieve differently than
women
*7. Grief varies from culture, race, and religion

7. Rev. Dr. Mark Hamilton Stevens
Chaplain
stevens-mark@cooperhealth.edu
609-346-8343