Stress and adaptation

![CDATA[This chapter outlines death, dying, and loss in the Australian and New Zealand contexts. At any stage of one's life, there is the potential for death, dying, and loss. This is especially true for those experiencing altered health states and for members of their family and community. A wide variety of losses may occur including loss of function, loss of ability to care for self, loss of capacity to perform family or work roles, or, possibly the most difficult loss of all, death. While the goals of nursing and midwifery focus on facilitating maximum potential in wellness, they also include the promotion of 'living well to the end of life' through compassionate palliative care and the facilitation of coping with illness, disability, and death. Understanding the impact of life-limiting illness on individuals, and their families and carers, is essential for both nurses and midwives when providing holistic person-centred care. Cultural safety is imperative in this context, as there is often a cultural dimension to the dying experience and to the rituals following death. The relevant legal requirements and the use of advance directives are important considerations when caring for people who are dying. To provide effective care you must be self-aware, informed, and comfortable with the issues surrounding death and dying.]]