Multiple perspectives on a geriatric "Death Valley"

Little is known about the total situation in which aged patients find themselves as the prospect of death increases. This paper focuses upon perceptions of "Death Valley," the intensive treatment unit of a geriatric hospital. Information was gathered from a variety of sources, including patients who had survived a recent period of residence in "Death Valley" and attending personnel throughout the hospital. Differences between "official" and "unofficial" communications on the subject of death, modes of responding to patients' death verbalizations, and possible sex differences in response to a heightened prospect of death are among the topics covered. Alternative explanations for the findings are discussed.