Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 11(1), pp. 89 - 96
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110110
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Death Anxiety among Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Nursing Practice

Khaldoun Aldiabat ^1,*, Enam A. Alsrayheen ², Carole-Lynne Le Navenec ^3
1 School of Nursing, Cape Breton University, Canada
² Research, Innovation and Discovery, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Cape Breton Regional Hospital, NS, Canada
³ Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Canada

ABSTRACT

Death anxiety is a worldwide phenomenon among diverse populations, including older adults. However, few studies were located in a literature review that examined how the Covid-19 pandemic influenced the perception of death anxiety among the older adult population. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review article is two-fold: (1) to provide an introductory discussion, based on the literature, regarding how the Covid-19 pandemic and its precautionary measurements provoke death anxiety, including its sub-category of predatory death anxiety, among older adults; and (2) to identify non-pharmacological interventions specific to death anxiety management for gerontological nurses to use during the Covid-19 pandemic or similar pandemics in the future. An intended outcome of this discussion paper is an enhanced understanding of ways to provide effective psychological care to older adults. The focus of discussion includes: the role of sociocultural factors, predatory death anxiety and Terror Management Theory, salient nursing assessment parameters and non-pharmacological interventions to address death anxiety among this population of older adults. In conclusion, gerontological nurses need to demonstrate evidence-based practice taking into consideration their own definition and perceptions of death, the reasons for their beliefs, and the cultural, situational, and spiritual context, in which they practice.

KEYWORDS
Death Anxiety, Older Adults, Covid-19 Pandemic, Nursing Interventions, Quality of Life

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Khaldoun Aldiabat , Enam A. Alsrayheen , Carole-Lynne Le Navenec , "Death Anxiety among Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Nursing Practice," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 89 - 96, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110110.

(b). APA Format:
Khaldoun Aldiabat , Enam A. Alsrayheen , Carole-Lynne Le Navenec (2023). Death Anxiety among Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Nursing Practice. Universal Journal of Public Health, 11(1), 89 - 96. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110110.