Ageing and Death

General Information

Subject: Physical and Health Education
Class: JSS 2
Term: Second Term
Week: 7
Age: 11–14 years
Topic: Ageing and Death
Sub-topic: Description of Ageing and Death, Life Enhancing Measures against Ageing, Supporting a Dying Person, Supporting a Grieving and Ageing Person
Duration: 40 minutes

Key Components

Behavioral Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

Understand the concept of ageing and death.
Recognize life-enhancing measures to slow down ageing.
Learn how to support a dying and grieving person.

Keywords: Ageing, Death, Life Enhancing Measures, Dying Person, Grieving, Support, Self-care.

Set Induction
The teacher asks the students: “What do you think happens as people grow older?” This question prompts students to think about the concept of ageing and the challenges associated with it.

Entry Behavior
Students are familiar with basic concepts of health and life stages.

Learning Resources and Materials

Videos or pictures showing the life cycle of humans (from childhood to old age).
Handouts on life-enhancing measures against ageing.
Real-life examples of how people can support the dying and grieving.

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
Students have been taught about different life stages, including childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and are familiar with basic health concepts.

Embedded Core Skills

Empathy
Communication
Problem-solving
Critical thinking

Instructional Materials

Visual aids (e.g., pictures of people at different life stages).
Videos on the process of ageing and death.
Handouts on how to support a dying or grieving person.

Content Details

Description of Ageing and Death

Ageing
Ageing is the process of growing older and gradually losing the ability to perform certain functions. It occurs when the body reaches the end of its useful life. People become less active and may experience a decline in physical abilities as they grow older.
Death
Death is the end of all biological functions that sustain life. It starts when the heart stops beating. Death is a gradual process, not just a single event.

Life Enhancing Measures Against Ageing

To combat the negative effects of ageing, the following life-enhancing measures are essential:

Rest and Sleep
Getting enough sleep allows the body to repair and rejuvenate itself.
Exercise
Regular physical activity keeps the body fit, strong, and healthy, helping to slow down the physical effects of ageing.
Nutrition
Eating a balanced and healthy diet with essential nutrients helps maintain overall health and wellness.
Greater Participation in Activities
Staying involved in social, recreational, and physical activities boosts mental and physical health.
Having More Close Friends
Positive social interactions and friendships reduce stress and promote mental well-being.
Visiting with Family
Regular contact with family members helps maintain emotional support and strengthens relationships.
Addressing Basic Needs
Meeting fundamental needs such as healthcare, emotional well-being, and a comfortable living environment is vital.
Promoting Healthy Behaviour
Encouraging healthy habits like avoiding smoking, excessive drinking, and stress can slow the ageing process.

Supporting a Dying Person

When supporting a dying person, it is important to:

Be Present
Spend time with the person as much as they want. Be there consistently to offer emotional support.
Maintain Regular Contact
Let the dying person know you care by maintaining regular visits and communication.
Listen More than Talk
Be a good listener, allowing the person to express their fears, hopes, and emotions.
Provide Comfort and Reassurance
Let them know who is in the room, and offer physical comfort, like holding their hand.
Respect their Wishes
Let them share their final thoughts and words in private with family or friends before they pass.
Time Alone with Loved Ones
Ensure the patient and their loved ones have time to be together before the passing, allowing them to say goodbye.

Supporting a Grieving and Ageing Person

When supporting someone who is grieving or ageing, consider the following:

Social Support
Providing emotional and social support by staying connected and offering help.
Good Self-Care
Encourage the person to take care of themselves by maintaining healthy habits, such as eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
The Passage of Time
Allow the person to heal naturally with time. Grieving and ageing are processes that take time to adjust to.
Contact a Counselor
Recommend seeing a counselor to help cope with grief, loss, and the emotional challenges of ageing.
Bereavement Support Groups
Support groups can help individuals find comfort by connecting with others who understand their struggles.

Evaluation Questions

15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

_______ is the process of growing older and reaching the end of useful life.
a) Death
b) Ageing
c) Grieving
d) Living
_______ is the end of all biological functions that define a living organism.
a) Life
b) Death
c) Ageing
d) Sleep
To prevent the effects of ageing, one should get enough _______.
a) Exercise
b) Rest and sleep
c) Nutrition
d) Social support
One way to slow down the physical effects of ageing is by engaging in _______.
a) Sports
b) Meditation
c) Exercise
d) Rest
Healthy eating is a form of _______ that helps combat ageing.
a) Nutrition
b) Rest
c) Exercise
d) Sleep
Regular visits with _______ can enhance emotional well-being as one ages.
a) Family
b) Neighbors
c) Strangers
d) Friends
_______ is an important aspect of supporting a dying person, ensuring they feel loved and comfortable.
a) Listening
b) Talking
c) Ignoring
d) Giving advice
A dying person should be allowed time to share their _______ with family and friends.
a) Hopes
b) Fears
c) Last words
d) Wishes
_______ support can help a grieving and ageing person cope with their emotions.
a) Physical
b) Emotional
c) Social
d) Financial
A grieving person might benefit from contacting a _______ for support.
a) Counselor
b) Friend
c) Family member
d) Teacher
It’s important to be _______ when supporting a dying person, as it provides comfort.
a) Silent
b) Present
c) Distracting
d) Angry
_______ time alone with a dying person is essential for emotional closure.
a) Giving
b) Taking
c) Limiting
d) Avoiding
A healthy diet and exercise can _______ the effects of ageing.
a) Speed up
b) Slow down
c) Not affect
d) Ignore
A person grieving should be encouraged to seek _______ for emotional support.
a) Friends
b) Work
c) Counseling
d) Money
_______ habits can significantly impact how a person experiences ageing.
a) Healthy
b) Bad
c) Unhealthy
d) Stressful

15 FAQs with Answers

What is ageing?
Ageing is the process of growing older and reaching the end of one’s useful life.
What is death?
Death is the termination of biological functions that sustain life.
How can rest and sleep affect ageing?
Adequate rest and sleep allow the body to rejuvenate and repair itself, slowing down the effects of ageing.
What role does exercise play in slowing ageing?
Regular exercise keeps the body physically fit, reducing the risks of age-related diseases.
What are life-enhancing measures against ageing?
These include exercise, nutrition, sleep, social participation, and maintaining close relationships.
How can someone support a dying person?
By being present, listening, respecting their wishes, and offering physical comfort.
Why is it important to maintain regular contact with a dying person?
Regular contact allows them to feel loved and supported as they navigate their final days.
How should you support a grieving person?
Offer emotional support, encourage self-care, and suggest professional counseling.
What is the best way to help an ageing person maintain emotional well-being?
Provide consistent social support, and encourage self-care and healthy habits.
What can be done to promote healthy behaviour in older adults?
Encourage regular exercise, a balanced diet, stress management, and positive social interactions.
What is the role of social support in ageing?
Social support can help reduce stress and provide emotional stability as people age.
How can a counselor help a grieving person?
Counselors provide emotional support, helping the person navigate the complex feelings of grief and loss.
What are the effects of time on grief?
Over time, grieving individuals often start to heal, adjusting to life without their loved one.
What are the benefits of having close friends as one ages?
Close friends provide emotional support, reduce loneliness, and improve mental health.
Why is it important to allow dying individuals to have alone time with family?
This time allows for emotional closure, allowing family and friends to say goodbye.

Teacher’s Activities

Introduce the topic by explaining the process of ageing and death.
Discuss life-enhancing measures to slow ageing.
Role-play how to support a dying person with the students.
Encourage discussion about how to support a grieving person.

Learner’s Activities

Participate in discussions about ageing and death.
Share personal experiences related to grief and ageing (if comfortable).
Engage in role-playing scenarios to practice supporting a dying or grieving person.

Assessment

Evaluate the students by asking them to explain key concepts and share examples of how they would support someone ageing or dying.

Conclusion

Summarize the importance of providing emotional and physical support to ageing and dying individuals and remind the students of the key life-enhancing measures to combat ageing. Review answers from the fill-in-the-blank questions to ensure understanding.