Download or read book Courageous Conversations on Dying the Gift of Palliative Care written by Shahid Aziz and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2018-01-31 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dying - which we all inevitably must do - can be appreciably better for each of us if we approach end of life conversations early, while we still have the capacity to make our own decisions. This book can help us all with this. In addition, Courageous Conversations on Dying guides physicians in their role of supporting patients and families through decision-making for end of life, concentrating on patients' goals. Whether we are physicians, patients, family members, or caring individuals who want the best possible end of life experience for ourselves and each other, we must acquire the skills for loving, fruitful conversations. In this book, you'll learn how to prepare for these conversations, including what kind of setting, what words to use, how to be a good listener, how to empathize, how to help in decision-making, how to properly document end of life wishes, and more, along with many case studies to illustrate the points.
Download or read book Conversations on Dying written by Phil Dwyer and published by Dundurn. This book was released on 2016-04-16 with total page 278 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The story of the end-of-life experience of a palliative care physician who helped thousands of patients to die well. We all die. Most of us spend the majority of our lives ignoring this uncomfortable truth, but Dr. Larry Librach dedicated his life and his career to helping his patients navigate their final journey. Then, in April 2013, Larry was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Unlike the majority of us, Larry knew the death he wanted. He wanted to die at home, surrounded by his family: his wife of forty years, his children, and his grandchildren. He did. He was peaceful and calm at the end. Larry proved that the “good death” isn’t a myth. It can be done, and he showed us how. Ever the teacher, Larry made his last journey a teachable moment on how to die the best death possible, even with a pernicious disease. As hard as it is to guide patients toward dying well, it is far harder to live those precepts day by day as the clock ticks down to one’s own death, but Larry, together with author Phil Dwyer, chronicled his final journey with courage and humour.
Download or read book Final Gifts written by Maggie Callanan and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2012-02-14 with total page 222 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this moving and compassionate classic—now updated with new material from the authors—hospice nurses Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley share their intimate experiences with patients at the end of life, drawn from more than twenty years’ experience tending the terminally ill. Through their stories we come to appreciate the near-miraculous ways in which the dying communicate their needs, reveal their feelings, and even choreograph their own final moments; we also discover the gifts—of wisdom, faith, and love—that the dying leave for the living to share. Filled with practical advice on responding to the requests of the dying and helping them prepare emotionally and spiritually for death, Final Gifts shows how we can help the dying person live fully to the very end.
Download or read book Final Journeys written by Maggie Callanan and published by Bantam. This book was released on 2008-03-25 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For more than two decades, hospice nurse Maggie Callanan has tended to the terminally ill and been a cornerstone of support for their loved ones. Now the coauthor of the classic bestseller Final Gifts passes along the lessons she has learned from the experts—her patients. Here is the guide we all need to understanding the special needs of the dying and those who care for them. In her work with thousands of families, Maggie Callanan has witnessed the tears, the love—and the confusion and conflict—this final passage can evoke. Now, with honesty, compassion, and even humor, she empowers patients and their families to write the last chapter of their lives with less fear, less pain, and more control—so that all involved can focus their energies on creating the best possible ending. From supporting a husband or wife faced with the loss of a spouse, to helping a dying mother prepare her children to carry on without her, Callanan’s poignant stories illustrate new ways to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of this difficult and precious time. She brings welcome clarity to medical and ethical concerns, explaining what to expect at every stage. Each brief chapter also conveys a home truth about making crucial treatment decisions, supporting the patient’s dignity and individuality, and lightening the burden on caregivers. Final Journeys is designed to be your companion, resource, and advocate. From diagnosis through the final hours, it will help you keep the lines of communication open, get the help you need, and create the peaceful end we all hope for.
Download or read book Difficult Conversations written by Carole O'Doherty and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 14 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Conversation written by Angelo E. Volandes and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2015-01-13 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "There is an unspoken dark side of American medicine--keeping patients alive at all costs. Two thirds of Americans die in healthcare institutions tethered to machines and tubes, even though research indicates that most prefer to die at home in comfort, surrounded by loved ones. The question How do you want to live? must be posed to the seriously ill because they deserve to choose. If doctors explain options--including the choice to forego countless medical interventions that are often of little benefit--then patients can tell doctors how they wish to spend the remainder of their lives. A doctor's heroic efforts to prolong a life can instead prolong that patient's death, and these traumatic measures also bankrupt the healthcare system. One third of the Medicare budget is spent on the last six months of life, often on technological interventions that are not helpful and inflict more suffering. Through the stories of six patients and six very different end-of-life experiences, Volandes explores the trajectory of events and treatments that occur with and without this essential conversation. He argues for a radical re-envisioning of the patient-doctor relationship--including videos to spark discussions--and offers ways for patients and their families to talk about this difficult issue to ensure that patients will be at the center and in charge of their medical care"--Provided by publisher.
Download or read book Mastering Communication with Seriously Ill Patients written by Anthony Back and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2009-03-02 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Physicians who care for patients with life-threatening illnesses face daunting communication challenges. Patients and family members can react to difficult news with sadness, distress, anger, or denial. This book defines the specific communication tasks involved in talking with patients with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Topics include delivering bad news, transition to palliative care, discussing goals of advance-care planning and do-not-resuscitate orders, existential and spiritual issues, family conferences, medical futility, and other conflicts at the end of life. Drs Anthony Back, Robert Arnold, and James Tulsky bring together empirical research as well as their own experience to provide a roadmap through difficult conversations about life-threatening issues. The book offers both a theoretical framework and practical conversational tools that the practising physician and clinician can use to improve communication skills, increase satisfaction, and protect themselves from burnout.
Download or read book Dying Happy written by Wendy Mulder and published by . This book was released on 2014-10-01 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'Dying Happy' - A paradoxical title it seems, however this raw and real account of a carer's experience with the palliative care of her dying Mother offers a very different view on what it means to be a carer, what it means to die and what it means to live. What if you could have more ease with death and dying? In a world where death and dying are considered to be 'the worst possible outcome', Wendy Mulder tells of her experience in this easy to read, insightful and thought provoking account of a carer's diary. She shares her insights and awareness around death, dying, relationships and self. She also introduces the tools and philosophies of Access Consciousness(r) which she says, enabled her to gain way more ease and have far less judgment of herself, of others and of death itself as she navigated her way through the palliative care process. "Whether you are the carer, or you are close to someone who is dying, this journal offers insights into what else is possible if you take the path less travelled. Your journey will be different." - Wendy Mulder. Wendy Mulder is a Grief Therapist, Access Consciousness(r) Certified Facilitator, Registered Nurse and author of Learning From Grief. She offers a range of services including private consultations and classes to assist people in moving forward with ease through grief. www.kindnesswithgrief.co
Download or read book Achieving a Good Death written by Chris Palmer and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2024-10-01 with total page 339 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Death is inevitable, dying badly is not. A good death is achievable, and this book explains how. There is an art to dying well that can be taught and learned. While death is inevitable, dying badly is not. This practical guide to achieving a good death will reduce the fear that often cloaks discussions about death and dying and give readers the knowledge and skills to achieve a peaceful and gentle death. With the multiple options available at the end of life, people can design and direct their end-of-life journey so they have as fulfilling and meaningful life as possible right up to the end and achieve the elusive good death when the time comes. Chapters focus on essential elements of living well and preparing for a good death including: Death cleaning so we don’t burden our loved ones with a big mess Talking with loved ones and doctors about our end-of-life wishes and aspirations so they know what matters to us and how we want to be treated Writing a legacy letter (an ethical will) and a memoir to let loved ones know what is deep in our hearts. Understanding caregivers, an under-appreciated group of people, usually unpaid women, who number in the millions. The benefits of palliative care, hospice care, and end-of-life doulas and the necessary vigilance to get the most out of these essential services. End-of-life options, including medical-aid-in-dying (MAID) and voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED). What it’s like to die and how to help people as they die. Options for disposition of the body of a loved one (or your own body) after death, especially in an economically and ecologically responsible way Planning commemorations and celebrations of life. The nature of grief, including how to deal with it, and why it is often unbearably painful. This thoughtful and gentle guide, exploring one of the most difficult human topics, equips every reader with the information they need to overcome the anxiety and confusion that so often overwhelms end-of-life planning so they may intentionally plan for “a good death” that will provide comfort for all during one’s final act.
Download or read book Talking About Death Won t Kill You written by Dr. Kathy Kortes-Miller and published by ECW Press. This book was released on 2018-03-06 with total page 140 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This practical handbook will equip readers with the tools to have meaningful conversations about death and dying Death is a part of life. We used to understand this, and in the past, loved ones generally died at home with family around them. But in just a few generations, death has become a medical event, and we have lost the ability to make this last part of life more personal and meaningful. Today people want to regain control over health-care decisions for themselves and their loved ones. Talking About Death Won’t Kill You is the essential handbook to help Canadians navigate personal and medical decisions for the best quality of life for the end of our lives. Noted palliative-care educator and researcher Kathy Kortes-Miller shows readers how to identify and reframe limiting beliefs about dying with humor and compassion. With robust resource lists, Kortes-Miller addresses advance care plans for ourselves and our loved ones how to have conversations about end-of-life wishes with loved ones how to talk to children about death how to build a compassionate workplace practical strategies to support our colleagues how to talk to health-care practitioners how to manage challenging family dynamics as someone is dying what is involved in medical assistance in dying (MAID) Far from morbid, these conversations are full of meaning and life — and the relief that comes from knowing what your loved ones want, and what you want for yourself.
Download or read book The Value of Wrinkles written by Isabel Tom and published by Moody Publishers. This book was released on 2020-03-03 with total page 166 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: That Wasn't A White Hair, Was It? We’re so afraid of aging that we begin to devalue ourselves and others with each passing year. The phrase "30 years old" incites panic. Seniors live in separate communities and barely interact with young people, while middle-aged people spend millions each year on anti-aging products. But what if we have it all wrong? Isabel Tom grew up living with grandparents and has spent over a decade of her career serving older adults. In The Value of Wrinkles she: Teaches you what the elderly offer us that we cannot live without Challenges our cultural beliefs and practices that affect those who are aging Gives you practical insight on how to care for those older than you
Download or read book Crossing Over written by David Barnard and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2022-12-02 with total page 513 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Crossing Over provides a unique view of patients, families, and their caregivers in the face of incurable illness. Twenty richly-detailed narratives bring vividly to life the experiences of dying and bereavement, weaving together emotions, physical symptoms, spiritual concerns, and the stresses of family life, as well as the professional and personal challenges of providing hospice and palliative care. Drawing on a variety of qualitative research methods, including participant-observation, interviews, and journal keeping, the narratives depict the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of daily life in patients' homes and in the palliative care unit. Crossing Over moves far beyond conventional case reports in medicine, which typically concentrate narrowly on symptoms and treatments, and beyond clichés about "dying with dignity." It provides intimate views of the anger and fear, tenderness and reconciliation, jealousy and love, unexpected courage and unshakable faith, social support and "falling through the cracks," which are all part of facing death in North American society. It provides an extraordinary portrait of the processes of giving and receiving hospice and palliative care in the real world, as opposed to idealized versions in many textbooks. This edition of Crossing Over has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect changes in hospice and palliative care and in North American society since the first edition in 2000. Chief among these are the expansion of hospice and palliative care as a field, the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the wider availability of medical aid in dying, and a heightened awareness of how structural racism, classism, and other forms of discrimination shape individuals' and families' experiences right up to the close of life.
Download or read book Final Gifts written by Maggie Callanan and published by Hodder Faith. This book was released on 1992 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "For everyone who has been or ever will be close to someone who is dying, this book is aimed at helping them to understand not only what the experience of death is like, but also how to interpret the symbolic messages by which the dying attempt to communicate their needs to us. In many cases, the dying need to pass on some vital message before they feel able to "let go". Often, communication can break down entirely, with neither side feeling able to reach the other or to express feelings honestly. The authors draw on their many years of hospice nursing to show that by keeping an open mind and by listening carefully to dying people, friends and relations can begin to understand not only what they need to tell them, but also what the experience is like." --Publisher.
Download or read book The Best Care Possible written by Ira Byock and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2013-03-05 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A doctor on the front lines of hospital care illuminates one of the most important and controversial social issues of our time. It is harder to die in this country than ever before. Though the vast majority of Americans would prefer to die at home—which hospice care provides—many of us spend our last days fearful and in pain in a healthcare system ruled by high-tech procedures and a philosophy to “fight disease and illness at all cost.” Dr. Ira Byock, one of the foremost palliative-care physicians in the country, argues that how we die represents a national crisis today. To ensure the best possible elder care, Dr. Byock explains we must not only remake our healthcare system but also move beyond our cultural aversion to thinking about death. The Best Care Possible is a compelling meditation on medicine and ethics told through page-turning life-or-death medical drama. It has the power to lead a new national conversation.
Download or read book When My Time Comes written by Diane Rehm and published by Vintage. This book was released on 2021-02-16 with total page 258 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The renowned radio host and one of the most trusted voices in the nation candidly and compassionately addresses the hotly contested right-to-die movement, of which she is one of our most inspiring champions. The basis for the acclaimed PBS series. Through interviews with terminally ill patients and their relatives, as well as physicians, ethicists, religious leaders, and representatives of both those who support and vigorously oppose this urgent movement, Rehm gives voice to a broad range of people personally linked to the realities of medical aid in dying. With characteristic evenhandedness, she provides the full context for this highly divisive issue and presents the fervent arguments—both for and against—that are propelling the current debate: Should we adopt laws allowing those who are dying to put an end to their suffering? Featuring a deeply personal foreword by John Grisham, When My Time Comes is a response to many misconceptions and misrepresentations of end-of-life care. It is a call to action—and to conscience—and it is an attempt to heal and soothe, reminding us that death, too, is an integral part of life. Don’t miss John Grisham’s new book, THE EXCHANGE: AFTER THE FIRM, coming soon!
Download or read book The Four Things That Matter Most 10th Anniversary Edition written by Ira Byock and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2004-03-08 with total page 237 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “This beautiful book, full of wisdom and warmth, teaches us how to protect and preserve our most valuable possessions—the relationships with those we love. It shows that the things that matter definitely aren’t ‘things,’ and how to empower your life in the right direction.” —Dr. Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Four simple phrases—“Please forgive me,” “I forgive you,” “Thank you,” and “I love you”—carry enormous power to mend and nurture our relationships and inner lives. These four phrases and the sentiments they convey provide a path to emotional wellbeing, guiding us through interpersonal difficulties to life with integrity and grace. Newly updated with stories from people who have turned to this life-altering book in their time of need, this motivational teaching about what really matters reminds us how we can honor each relationship every day. Dr. Ira Byock, an international leader in palliative care, explains how we can practice these life-affirming words in our day-to-day lives. Too often we assume that the people we love really know that we love them. Dr. Byock demonstrates the value of “stating the obvious” and provides practical insights into the benefits of letting go of old grudges and toxic emotions. His stories help us to forgive, appreciate, love, and celebrate one another and live life more fully. Using the Four Things in a wide range of life situations, we can experience emotional healing even in the wake of family strife, personal tragedy, divorce, or in the face of death. With practical wisdom and spiritual power, The Four Things That Matter Most gives us the language and guidance to honor and experience what really matters most in our lives every day.
Download or read book What Dying People Want written by David Kuhl and published by PublicAffairs. This book was released on 2003-07-10 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Facing death results in more fear and anxiety than any other human experience. Though much has been done to address the physical pain suffered by those with a terminal illness, Western medicine has been slow to understand and alleviate the psychological and spiritual distress that comes with the knowledge of death. In What Dying People Want, Dr. David Kuhl begins to bridge that gap by addressing end-of-life realities--practical and emotional--through his own experiences as a doctor and through the words and experiences of people who knew that they were dying. Dr. Kuhl presents ways of finding new life in the process of dying, understanding the inner reality of living with a terminal illness, and addressing the fear of pain, as well as pain itself. He also offers concrete guidance on how to enhance doctor/patient relationships and hold family meetings, and provides an introduction to the process of life review. It is possible to find meaning and peace in the face of death. What Dying People Want "helps us learn to view the knowledge of death as a gift, not a curse." (New Times)
