'A wonderful book' - Dr. Rangan Chatterjee 'Highly convincing' - Daily Express 'Pioneering' - The Telegraph 'The strength of the book lies in its description of how community life can have a transformative effect on individuals' - British Journal of General Practice Across the country, general hospital admissions are on the rise. But in a small town in rural England, thanks to the simple introduction of kindness and compassion, that trend has been reversed. And what this town achieved, we can all adopt in our own lives to powerful effect. Through daily mindful acts of care we are capable of changing things for the better, both inside ourselves and for the world around us. Frome in Somerset isn't special. It could be any town; it could be your town. And yet the people who live there have a story to tell about the simple, ground-shaking power of compassion. If it came in tablet form, it would be hailed as a wonder of modern medicine. By contrast, it's entirely free but offers heartening evidence that when human beings make time for each other, the beneficial effects go far beyond the reach of naive optimism. 'A culture in which compassion is a prevailing value allows individuals to flourish and bring their talents and gifts to the communities in which they live. Unanticipated possibilities emerge, presenting fresh ways of addressing what previously appeared to be insoluble problems. Hearts are lifted. The case for hope is more strongly made. And as the people who work in this way begin to change the world immediately around them, so too, the wider world beyond begins to change.' Dr Julian Abel & Lindsay Clarke

Provides comprehensive, current information for addressing the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of hospice patients and their families Substantially updated and expanded, the second edition of this quick-access reference for hospice nurses continues to deliver the most current information on the clinical and administrative duties of the hospice nurse. It encompasses important regulatory changes and milestones, providing timely information on cultural issues, special communication considerations, and hospice care's enduring growth. This resource provides new content on levels of care, assessment and symptom management, and occupational stress, burnout, and self-care. New treatment guidelines and algorithms are included, as are updates on quality measures, the reimbursement schedule, compliance initiatives, and electronic documentation with specific examples. An indispensable clinical resource, the book is a valuable reference for nurses who are seeking to specialize in hospice, those who work in long-term care settings, post-acute care settings, acute care setting, and those who are seeking to enhance their knowledge of end-of-life care within other specialties. New to the Second Edition: Includes new regulatory changes/milestones, such as The National Quality Forum New Priorities for Action 2019 Provides updated information about levels of care, particularly the Last 7 Days rule from Medicare Covers the use of cannabis, non-pharmacological pain management interventions, care of the dying patient, and post-mortem care New chapters are included on the hospice nurse's role as case manager, patient discharge, religious and cultural influences on end-of-life care, pain assessment and interventions, wound care, care of the dying patient, and post-mortem care. Key Features: Reflects key competencies for the hospice nurse as designated by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association Delineates clinical and administrative responsibilities of the hospice nurse Simplifies complex information such as Medicare regulations and compliance Provides screening tools for depression, anxiety, and wound risk Includes the Palliative Performance Scale and the Karnofsky Performance Scale Serves as a concise study resource for certification