"some of what critics condemn as death’s medicalisation is, in fact, its institutionalisation....
...it is worth asking not only how dying may become more a natural community/ family event rather than a medical event, but also if and how the institutional settings in which dying people often find themselves could become more porous, that is, inclusive of the person’s own social networks and the wider community"
What Death Means Now, Tony Walter
Currently in Scotland people who are old or very unwell tend to spend most of their time with other people who are old and unwell - in care homes, or in hospitals.
In these situations, most people find themelves largely cut off from their own social networks, and reliant on being visited by family and stalwart friends in what can be limited visiting hours, and often some distance away from where they have lived most of their lives.
Are there ways of changing this?
For example, there has recently been growing awareness of initiatives where Care Homes have co-located or partnered with nurseries, enabling residents and children to benefit from each other’s company.
An increasing number of Scottish hospitals have committed to welcoming carers outside of standard visiting hours.
Something that local communities might wish to look at in their quest to become more compassionate, is whether there's anything they can do to support local institutions such as care homes or hospitals become more sociable, and less 'institutional'.
