Elderly Facing Death During the Pandemic: The Ethical Dilemma of Hong Kong Christians

Ho Yee Wu

doi:10.2991/978-94-6463-096-1_17

Elderly Facing Death During the Pandemic: The Ethical Dilemma of Hong Kong Christians

Ho Yee Wu^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceeding › Conference proceeding › peer-review

Abstract

Christian faith has a major influence on Hong Kong since the 17th century. Many hospitals and organizations have upheld the spirit of Christian ethics to help those in need, especially for the end-of-life care of the elderlies. In the past two years of the outbreak of pandemic, the medical system established for many years has been facing very big challenges. It is especially difficult for the elderly and their families who are facing death in Hong Kong hospitals. This article examines the concept of a “good death” in Christian faith, in addition, the moral dilemmas older adults and their families face during this time of pandemic. The spiritual and mental needs of patients and families are often sacrificed in the name of public health. The application of Christian ethics from the teachings of Jesus provides inspiration for suffering at the important stage of life in old age, death, and gives us answers to face and heal the pain of death.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the Meaning in Life International Conference 2022 - Cultivating, Promoting, and Enhancing Meaning in Life Across Cultures and Life Span (MIL 2022)
Publisher	Atlantis Press (Zeger Karssen)
Pages	233-242
Number of pages	10
ISBN (Electronic)	9789464630961
ISBN (Print)	9789464630954
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-096-1_17
Publication status	Published - 27 Dec 2022
Event	Meaning in Life International Conference 2022: Cultivating, Promoting, and Enhancing Meaning in Life Across Cultures and Life Span - The Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong Duration: 22 Jun 2022 → 25 Jun 2022 https://meaninginlife2022.hksyu.edu/ https://www.atlantis-press.com/proceedings/mil-22

Publication series

Name	Atlantis Highlights in Social Sciences, Education and Humanities
Volume	7
ISSN (Electronic)	2667-128X

Conference

Conference	Meaning in Life International Conference 2022
Abbreviated title	MIL 2022
Country/Territory	Hong Kong
Period	22/06/22 → 25/06/22
Internet address	https://meaninginlife2022.hksyu.edu/ https://www.atlantis-press.com/proceedings/mil-22

User-Defined Keywords

Good death
Christian ethics
palliative care
pandemics
spiritual care

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.2991/978-94-6463-096-1_17

Cite this

Wu, H. Y. (2022). Elderly Facing Death During the Pandemic: The Ethical Dilemma of Hong Kong Christians. In Proceedings of the Meaning in Life International Conference 2022 - Cultivating, Promoting, and Enhancing Meaning in Life Across Cultures and Life Span (MIL 2022) (pp. 233-242). ( Atlantis Highlights in Social Sciences, Education and Humanities; Vol. 7). Atlantis Press (Zeger Karssen). https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-096-1_17

Wu, Ho Yee. / Elderly Facing Death During the Pandemic : The Ethical Dilemma of Hong Kong Christians. Proceedings of the Meaning in Life International Conference 2022 - Cultivating, Promoting, and Enhancing Meaning in Life Across Cultures and Life Span (MIL 2022). Atlantis Press (Zeger Karssen), 2022. pp. 233-242 ( Atlantis Highlights in Social Sciences, Education and Humanities).

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abstract = "Christian faith has a major influence on Hong Kong since the 17th century. Many hospitals and organizations have upheld the spirit of Christian ethics to help those in need, especially for the end-of-life care of the elderlies. In the past two years of the outbreak of pandemic, the medical system established for many years has been facing very big challenges. It is especially difficult for the elderly and their families who are facing death in Hong Kong hospitals. This article examines the concept of a “good death” in Christian faith, in addition, the moral dilemmas older adults and their families face during this time of pandemic. The spiritual and mental needs of patients and families are often sacrificed in the name of public health. The application of Christian ethics from the teachings of Jesus provides inspiration for suffering at the important stage of life in old age, death, and gives us answers to face and heal the pain of death.",

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Wu, HY 2022, Elderly Facing Death During the Pandemic: The Ethical Dilemma of Hong Kong Christians. in Proceedings of the Meaning in Life International Conference 2022 - Cultivating, Promoting, and Enhancing Meaning in Life Across Cultures and Life Span (MIL 2022). Atlantis Highlights in Social Sciences, Education and Humanities, vol. 7, Atlantis Press (Zeger Karssen), pp. 233-242, Meaning in Life International Conference 2022, Hong Kong, 22/06/22. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-096-1_17

Elderly Facing Death During the Pandemic: The Ethical Dilemma of Hong Kong Christians. / Wu, Ho Yee.
Proceedings of the Meaning in Life International Conference 2022 - Cultivating, Promoting, and Enhancing Meaning in Life Across Cultures and Life Span (MIL 2022). Atlantis Press (Zeger Karssen), 2022. p. 233-242 ( Atlantis Highlights in Social Sciences, Education and Humanities; Vol. 7).

Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceeding › Conference proceeding › peer-review

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Wu HY. Elderly Facing Death During the Pandemic: The Ethical Dilemma of Hong Kong Christians. In Proceedings of the Meaning in Life International Conference 2022 - Cultivating, Promoting, and Enhancing Meaning in Life Across Cultures and Life Span (MIL 2022). Atlantis Press (Zeger Karssen). 2022. p. 233-242. ( Atlantis Highlights in Social Sciences, Education and Humanities). doi: 10.2991/978-94-6463-096-1_17

Elderly Facing Death During the Pandemic: The Ethical Dilemma of Hong Kong Christians

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

User-Defined Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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Cite this