[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”How to Have a Good Death” subhead=”Journey to the unknown” text_orientation=”center” header_fullscreen=”on” header_scroll_down=”on” scroll_down_icon_color=”#000000″ background_overlay_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Abril Fatface|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”43px” title_letter_spacing=”1px” content_font=”Lato|700|||||||” subhead_font=”Lato|700|||||||” subhead_text_align=”center” subhead_font_size=”24px” subhead_line_height=”1.4em” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/jmsc6110a.com\/capstone2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/b4-divi.png” parallax=”on” filter_opacity=”75%” title_text_shadow_style=”preset3″ content_text_shadow_style=”preset3″ subhead_text_shadow_style=”preset3″ text_shadow_style=”preset1″ text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”” text_shadow_vertical_length_phone=”” text_shadow_vertical_length_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
By He Qitong<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Introduction” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#141a26″ custom_padding=”||0px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ admin_label=”Column” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_orientation=”justified” width=”75%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||60px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Death is inevitable, but the fear of it originates from its unknown. Life and death are like two sides of a coin. By learning about death, we can better understand this essential process in life, and eliminate the fear it brings.<\/span><\/p>\n Imagine that you are approaching the end of your life. Your body is tired. You know you have to say goodbye to this world soon. But how? What will happen to us? How can we have a death that is<\/span> peaceful and dignified?<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section 1 title” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#141a26″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”500″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ admin_label=”Column” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial author=”J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan” quote_icon_color=”#000000″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”44px” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”Abril Fatface||||||||” body_text_align=”center” body_font_size=”28px” author_text_align=”center” author_font_size=”19px” background_color=”#181b26″ background_layout=”dark” height=”104px” custom_margin=”||55px|||” custom_padding=”||140px|||” border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” box_shadow_style=”preset5″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n To die will be an awfully big adventure.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Abril Fatface||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”42px” text_orientation=”center” width=”100%” custom_margin=”149px|||||” custom_padding=”13px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Hospice Care<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#141a26″ positioning=”none” z_index=”6″ height=”0px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” top_divider_style=”wave2″ top_divider_color=”rgba(140,140,140,0.93)” top_divider_height=”11vw” top_divider_repeat=”1x” top_divider_repeat_tablet=”1x” top_divider_repeat_phone=”1x” top_divider_repeat_last_edited=”on|desktop” bottom_divider_style=”wave2″ bottom_divider_color=”rgba(140,140,140,0.93)” bottom_divider_height=”8vw” bottom_divider_repeat=”1x” bottom_divider_flip=”vertical|horizontal” scroll_horizontal_motion=”0|37|59|100|200|150|150″ scroll_fade_enable=”on” scroll_scaling_enable=”on” scroll_scaling=”0|50|50|100|200%|150%|150%” custom_css_after=”position:absolute; ||z-index:99999;” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section 1 subtitle” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#141a26″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”500″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” z_index=”500″ text_orientation=”center” width=”61%” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”104px” custom_margin=”4px||4px||true|” custom_padding=”13px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Hospice care aims to improve the quality of life for those nearing the end of their lives by providing physical and emotional support<\/span>. It is not only to relieve pains and scares, but also to teach people how to end in peace and dignity.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section1″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#141a26″ min_height=”1423.4px” custom_padding=”16vh||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”296.9px” custom_margin=”21px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”15px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/jmsc6110a.com\/capstone2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/DSC06423.jpg” title_text=”DSC06423″ show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95.8%” min_height=”288.7px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”24px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Phoenix Ng shares his story at a workshop. (Credit: He Qitong)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_line_height=”1.8em” text_orientation=”justified” width=”92%” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n P<\/span>hoenix Ng <\/span><\/strong><\/span>established the Hong Kong Hospice Social Worker Society six years ago. The society aims to provide support for patients nearing the end of their lives and for bereaved individuals. Their goal is to “bring peace for both living and dead.” <\/span><\/p>\n Phoenix’s father passed away of cancer when he was 11 years old.<\/span> It was not until he studied life and death education in Taiwan that he began to understand <\/span>how painful the illness was for his father and why his father became easily upset and angry during that time. The regret of not having taken better care of his father drove him to work in hospice care.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_orientation=”justified” width=”75%” module_alignment=”center” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n While studying in Taiwan, he folded a box of origami stars and wrote his wish on one of the lucky stars: he wished to go back to the hospital where his father died and serve cancer patients there<\/span>. He joined the Master of Social Work Programme at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and after graduation, he found a job at the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society.<\/span><\/p>\n Many years later, he suddenly remembered the box of stars that he had forgotten and lost. He realised\u00a0 that he had already achieved his dream. The\u00a0 Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society was converted from Nam Long Hospital, which was the hospital where his father had passed away. He feels like his father is\u00a0 supporting him, and he appreciates being able to see traces of his life. This was his destiny. <\/span><\/p>\n When speaking with terminally-ill patients, he emphasised the importance of empathy. “Having someone listen and share the same feelings already relieves half of the pain,” Ng said. The most common emotion among patients is fear, so letting them talk about their fears is the <\/span>first step to providing support<\/span>. In their work, there are two principles that they must follow: they cannot give false hope and they cannot do harm. For example, instead\u00a0 of saying, “Come on. You’ll be fine. Be positive,” they would say, “I understand. It’s difficult. I’m here for you.”<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some things you can say to people facing death in hospice care:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/jmsc6110a.com\/capstone2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Checklist.png” title_text=”Checklist*” align=”right” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”66.8%” custom_padding=”0px|282px|0px|||” scroll_fade_enable=”on” scroll_blur_enable=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_orientation=”justified” width=”75%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In his work, Ng is always cautious about making promises because he never knows when the ending moments will come. Giving false hope not only hurts patients, but also brings unbearable regret to workers. However, he has made a promise to drink and play Mahjong with <\/span>the patients<\/span> when they meet in another world. He believes that they will meet eventually. “Death is not the end,” Ng said.<\/span><\/p>\n Many people have left footprints on Ng’s heart. They come and go. Once, he celebrated a patient’s birthday and sent off a dying person from the same room in one day. These experiences make Ng treasure every moment spent with loved ones and appreciate every opportunity to say goodbye.<\/span><\/p>\n In his free time, Ng likes to paint and write.<\/span> Watercolour spreads freely on paper, as a medium to tell unique and mysterious stories of what he sees, much like the traces of life.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”2233,2226,2225,2246″ show_title_and_caption=”off” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” min_height=”100px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” background_layout=”dark” min_height=”33px” custom_margin=”-39px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Watercolour artwork by Phoenix Ng. (Credits: Phoenix Ng)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section 2 title” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#141a26″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”500″ custom_margin=”-12px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Abril Fatface||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”41px” text_orientation=”center” width=”100%” custom_margin=”132px|||||” custom_padding=”13px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Home Death Situation<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Divider2″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#141a26″ positioning=”none” z_index=”6″ height=”0px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” top_divider_style=”wave2″ top_divider_color=”rgba(140,140,140,0.93)” top_divider_height=”10vw” top_divider_repeat=”1x” top_divider_repeat_tablet=”1x” top_divider_repeat_phone=”1x” top_divider_repeat_last_edited=”on|desktop” bottom_divider_style=”wave2″ bottom_divider_color=”rgba(140,140,140,0.93)” bottom_divider_height=”8vw” bottom_divider_repeat=”1x” bottom_divider_flip=”vertical|horizontal” scroll_horizontal_motion=”0|37|59|100|200|150|150″ scroll_fade_enable=”on” scroll_scaling_enable=”on” scroll_scaling=”0|50|50|100|200%|150%|150%” custom_css_after=”position:absolute; ||z-index:99999;” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section 2 subtitle” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#141a26″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” z_index=”500″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” z_index=”500″ text_orientation=”center” width=”55%” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”104px” custom_margin=”4px||4px||true|” custom_padding=”13px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n What if we don’t want to die in the cold, crowded hospital? What if we want to go back to a place where we are familiar with? If we want to be surrounded by our family, and closest friends, we can choose to die at home.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section2 die in place” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#181b26″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”text” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”27px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Lily Pincus” quote_icon_color=”#000000″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”44px” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”Abril Fatface||||||||” body_text_align=”center” body_font_size=”26px” body_line_height=”1em” author_font=”Lato|700|||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_font_size=”19px” author_line_height=”0.3em” background_color=”#181b26″ background_layout=”dark” module_alignment=”center” height=”220px” custom_margin=”||55px|||” custom_padding=”||140px|||” border_width_all=”3px” border_color_all=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” box_shadow_style=”preset5″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Ignorance and fear of death overshadow life, while knowing and accepting death erases this shadow.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”justified” width=”76%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”136px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n H<\/span>ome death situations used to be common in Hong Kong. However, more are now choosing hospitals given their improved equipment and resources.\u00a0 Also,\u00a0 an apartment where someone died in would be labelled as a “haunted house”, which would affect the housing value.<\/span><\/p>\n More importantly, <\/span>under the Coroners Ordinance<\/span>, if <\/span>a person dies\u00a0 outside of a\u00a0 hospital, the police must conduct an investigation to ensure that the cause of death is not suspicious,<\/span> and if there are no reasonable arguments, the body would need to be autopsied.<\/span> Chen Pui-hing, co-founder of\u00a0 HOBBYHK and a funeral director who is dedicated to promoting dying in place in Hong Kong, said it\u2019s the biggest reason why some people might think it\u2019s illegal to die at home. <\/span><\/p>\n According to the Coroners Ordinance, if a patient was attended by a registered medical practitioner within 14 days before their death, and was able to get confirmation within 24 hours after death<\/span> from a\u00a0 practitioner<\/span> that it was not an “unnatural death”, the patient can avoid investigation and autopsy procedures. The registered medical practitioner can issue a medical certificate of cause of death at the home<\/span> for<\/span> the deceased. Then the family of the deceased can take it to the Death Registries to issue a certification of death.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”Chart” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”91.1%” min_height=”681.7px” custom_margin=”71px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]