This moving and insightful handbook collects wisdom and experience from pactitioners and those who have lost a loved one on the role of spirituality in end of life care. It addresses the place of spirituality in our modern society and the challenge of life and death, best practice in end of life care, belief systems, how spirituality can play a part in care workers' roles, as well as creative interventions and leadership challenges. The handbook is divided into seven sections covering modern society, spirituality and the challenge of end of life care; end of life care in practice; user, carer and professional perspectives; death as a gateway: belief systems; looking ahead; conclusions.

This "comforting...thoughtful" (The Washington Post) guide to maintaining a high quality of life-from resilient old age to the first inklings of a serious illness to the final breath-by the New York Times bestselling author of Knocking on Heaven's Door is a "roadmap to the end that combines medical, practical, and spiritual guidance" (The Boston Globe). "A common sense path to define what a 'good' death looks like" (USA TODAY), The Art of Dying Well is about living as well as possible for as long as possible and adapting successfully to change. Packed with extraordinarily helpful insights and inspiring true stories, award-winning journalist Katy Butler shows how to thrive in later life (even when coping with a chronic medical condition), how to get the best from our health system, and how to make your own "good death" more likely. Butler explains how to successfully age in place, why to pick a younger doctor and how to have an honest conversation with them, when not to call 911, and how to make your death a sacred rite of passage rather than a medical event. This handbook of preparations-practical, communal, physical, and spiritual-will help you make the most of your remaining time, be it decades, years, or months. Based on Butler's experience caring for aging parents, and hundreds of interviews with people who have successfully navigated our fragmented health system and helped their loved ones have good deaths, The Art of Dying Well also draws on the expertise of national leaders in family medicine, palliative care, geriatrics, oncology, and hospice. This "empowering guide clearly outlines the steps necessary to prepare for a beautiful death without fear" (Shelf Awareness).

Death strips away all of the superficial and mundane details of living and leaves behind life's bare essentials. Death is inevitable in life. It knows no boundaries. It knows no skin color, no financial or social standing. It knows nothing but itself. The paradox of Dying Declarations: Notes from a Hospice Volunteer is in its warm affirmation of life through the 'dying declarations' of patients who are peering into the cold face of death. The author reveals personal experiences about life, death, and the courage to strip away the unimportant aspects of life to make way for a clearer understanding on just what is truly important. Simple, moving stories invigorate and spark insightswhile discussing all aspects of hospice volunteering. By facing death on a regular basis, one can no longer maintain a tight grip on the masks, games, and trivialities that one uses to hide from truth. The person who looks death in the eye becomes more honest, grateful, compassionate, and humble. In Dying Declarations: Notes from a Hospice Volunteer, the author shares his experiences and the lessons he learned from the dying while working as a hospice volunteer. The stories, rather than being sad and depressing, present the author's hospice experience as being some of the most personally uplifting and enriching experiences of his life. In Dying Declarations: Notes from a Hospice Volunteer you will learn: about training for hospice work why hospice volunteers are at times more beneficial to the well-being of dying patients than family, clergy, or medical personnel the three basic tasks for a hospice volunteer how children and dogs can be beneficial for patients the impact that a dying patient can have on the life of a hospice volunteer words of wisdom about living life, directly from hospice patients Dying Declarations: Notes from a Hospice Volunteer will inspire and enlighten hospice volunteers, nurses, physicians, clergy, social workers or anyone who works for hospice or provides end-of-life care.

Palliative and end of life care are an essential component of nursing practice. This book provides students with the key information they need to deliver effective and safe end of life care for patients and their families. Crucially, it also creates opportunities for them to reflect on their own perspectives on death and dying and explore the impact of this on their practice. Key features Fully mapped to the NMC standards of proficiency for registered nurses (2018) Helps you to develop a holistic understanding of the fundamental principles and practice of palliative and end of life care Activities encourage you reflect on your own perspectives of death and dying and to consider the impact this has on your practice Case studies bring the theory to life and illustrate the real world applicability

'Wonderful, thoughtful, practical' - Cariad Lloyd, Griefcast 'Encouraging and inspiring' - Dr Kathryn Mannix, author of Amazon bestseller With the End in Mind End-of-life doula Anna Lyons and funeral director Louise Winter have joined forces to share a collection of the heartbreaking, surprising and uplifting stories of the ordinary and extraordinary lives they encounter every single day. From working with the living, the dying, the dead and the grieving, Anna and Louise reveal the lessons they've learned about life, death, love and loss. Together they've created a profound but practical guide to rethinking the one thing that's guaranteed to happen to us all. We are all going to die, and that's ok. Let's talk about it. This is a book about life and living, as much as it's a book about death and dying. It's a reflection on the beauties, blessings and tragedies of life, the exquisite agony and ecstasy of being alive, and the fragility of everything we hold dear. It's as simple and as complicated as that.

Ethics in Hospice Care: Challenges to Hospice Values in a Changing Health Care Environment explores the pressures and challenges facing hospice and aims to produce new studies and educational materials on hospice ethics to help professionals in the field. Many of the tensions felt by caregivers and practitioners in hospice stem from uncertainty about the ethical mission of hospice and the ethical dilemmas arising in practice. This volume, a result of The Hastings Center and the Hospice Foundation of America s project on Ethical and Policy Issues in Hospice Care, addresses these issues in a clear, accessible way.Ethics in Hospice Care outlines the economic, social, and cultural challenges facing hospice care in a changing society and a changing health care environment. Issues of concern include: financial pressures as policymakers limit Medicare spending organizational pressures as hospice organizations enter a variety of new relationships with managed care organizations, home health agencies, and hospitals cultural and social challenges as Americans wrestle with moral and legal issues of death and dying and physician-assisted suicide the rapid and unplanned growth of the movement--from a single hospice in 1973 to over 2500 todayWhile primarily for practicing hospice professionals, Ethics in Hospice Care is vital reading for everyone concerned with assisted suicide, patients'rights, quality of life, managed care, physician referral, professional development, pain management, quality of care, and ethics committees.

Presents a view of hospice care through the eyes of a long-term hospice nurse. This title includes stories which are accompanied by discussion of end-of-life issues that arise among the families hospice nurse has served. It is useful for health care and social worker and layperson alike.

"I just wish I had armfuls of time." These are the words of a four year old facing a life-threatening illness. This text portrays the psychological experience of such children, who are irreversibly changed from the moment of diagnosis. Barbara Sourkes is a psychologist who specializes in psychotherapy with children who have cancer and other serious diseases. In the account, she describes how she works with these children, using drawings, soft toys and dolls, stories and real medical instruments to allow them to communicate their experience of the illness, the treatment they undergo, their relationship with their families, and their feelings of grief and loss in coming to terms with the prospect of death. Making use of the words of children, offering interpretations and practical advice, this is a book that should be useful reading for those concerned with the care of terminally ill children.

Hospice Care and Cultural Diversity captures the richness and differences that make up the United States and its culture. This book shows you the complex issues arising from work with patients of a different culture and encourages research in hospices which support culturally innovative programs. Many people are individually knowledgeable and culturally sensitive, but few hospices have systematically planned for service to culturally diverse groups. This volume identifies who is implementing organizational programs of cultural sensitivity and acknowledges the efforts of those individuals working to make hospice accessible to everyone.Hospice Care and Cultural Diversity contains original research, personal insights, and overviews to help you understand what is being done in the field. Specifically, chapters discuss: National Hospice Organization activities, goals, and recommended actions death and dying from a Native American perspective breaking barriers to hospice for African Americans a case study of the development of a culturally sensitive treatment plan in pre-hospice south Texas caregiving norms surrounding dying and use of hospice services among Hispanic American elderly cultural considerations surrounding childhood bereavement among Cambodians in the U.S. one hospice's experience in identifying and meeting the needs of ethnic minority patientsPeople from many different cultures are eager to share their customs, practices, and beliefs. They want hospice providers to understand their culture, and they want their community served by hospice. The only book of its kind, Hospice Care and Cultural Diversity is a valuable reference and source of ideas for anyone interested in the delivery of hospice services. From students to experts, you will find much information to help make hospice care accessible and comfortable for all groups of people.

This thoughtful new book presents strategies for helping end-stage renal disease patients and their families deal with the psychosocial aspects of the chronic long-term illness. Technological advances in the treatment of this disease have offered much hope for improved quality in living which has led caregivers to have a greater concern for preserving the quality of life of their patients. In Psychosocial Aspects of End-Stage Renal Disease leaders in the field of many disciplines share knowledge and reveal problems that are still evident to them in the confrontation with this potentially fatal illness.Five comprehensive sections devote special attention to the different areas of concern for the psychosocial well-being of end-stage renal disease patients. The impact of renal disease on family relationships is covered by examining issues of family responses and coping measures such as marital and family reactions to home and hospital dialysis treatment. Ethical issues in treatment are explored, including the ethics of treatment refusal and a Jewish perspective on kidney transplants. Relations between staff and patients and a timely section on renal disease and special populations, particularly the elderly and AIDS patients, make up the final two sections of this informative volume. Professionals in all allied health disciplines will benefit from this important volume as it demonstrates a model approach, if not the definitive one, for the treatment of the psychosocial aspects of end-stage renal disease as well as other chronic illnesses.

Fundamentals of Palliative Care for Student Nurses is a thorough yet accessible introduction and overview of a key area of the nursing programme. This textbook clearly explains the palliation of symptoms and the social context of death and dying. Engaging with the latest guidelines and curriculum, it highlights the practical and communicative skills required for induction programmes and continuing professional development. KEY FEATURES: * A full-colour, student-friendly, introduction to the essentials of palliative, or end of life care * A topical and timely subject area, explored clearly and concisely * Full of interactive pedagogy and features, including quizzes, multiple choice questions, vignettes/case studies and activities * Features a companion website with links to further reading, additional activities and resources, and self-testing interactive multiple choice questions Fundamentals of Palliative Care for Student Nurses focuses on this area with expert knowledge and compassion, preparing students in order to help them provide the best possible care for their patients and their families.

Help families of institutionalized elders with this compassionate and practical manual.

The concept of a "good death" has been hotly debated in medical circles for decades. This volume delves into the possibility and desirability of a "good death" by presenting the psychosocial measures of care as a crucial component, such as religion, existentialism, hope and meaning-making. The volume also focuses on oncologic psychiatry and the influence of technology as a means to alleviate pain and suffering, and potentially provide relief to those at the end of life. Such initiatives are aimed at diminishing pain and are socially bolstering and emotionally comforting to ensure a peaceful closure with life as opposed to a battle waged. Utilizing the most recent information from medical journals and books to present the latest on healthcare and dying today, this volume crosses the boundaries of thanatology, psychology, religion, spirituality, medical ethics and public health.

Dame Cicely Saunders was the founder of the Hospice Movement, in which Britain leads the world. Her work transformed our approach to the care of the dying, and also the debate about euthanasia. She died in 2005 and her memorial service was held in Westminster Abbey in March 2006. Over 1600 people attended. This biography, by Shirley du Boulay, includes a 4-page plate section and new chapters by Marianne Rankin covering the years after 1984.

Christopher Kerr is a hospice doctor. All of his patients die. Yet he has tended thousands of patients who, in the face of death, speak of love, meaning and grace. They reveal that there is hope beyond cure as they transition to focus on personal meaning. In this extraordinary and beautiful book, Dr. Kerr shares his patients' stories and his own research pointing to death as not purely the end of life, but as a final passage of humanity and transcendence. Drawing on interviews with over 1,200 patients and more than a decade of quantified data , Dr. Kerr reveals why pre-death dreams and visions are remarkable events that bring comfort and exemplify human resilience. These are not regular dreams. Described as "more real than real," they frequently include loved ones long gone and mark the transition from distress to acceptance. These end-of-life experiences help patients restore meaning, make sense of the dying process and assist in reclaiming it as an experience in which they have a say. They also benefit the bereaved who get relief from seeing their loved ones pass with a sense of calm closure. Beautifully written with astonishing stories, this book, at its heart, celebrates the power to reclaim how we die, while soothing the bereaved who witness their loved ones go with unqualified grace.

The Hospice Companion is a guide to the processes of care during the intensive, interpersonal experiences of hospice work. This resource highlights the mission and values of modern-day hospice through the individual and combined efforts of the field's most valuable asset, the hospice professional. This easy-to-navigate clinical decision support tool for caregivers of those with life-limiting illnesses allows for personal and professional growth and a deeply gratifying sense of accomplishment as they proceed in the all-important work of caring for the dying. The fourth edition of The Hospice Companion features a thoroughly current guide to clinical processes and symptom management, providing hospice professionals with a concise summary of changes that have influenced clinical practice over the last several years.

Winner of the Michael Ramsay Prize 2016 Dementia is one of the most feared diseases in Western society today. Some have even gone so far as to suggest euthanasia as a solution to the perceived indignity of memory loss and the disorientation that accompanies it. In this book John Swinton develops a practical theology of dementia for caregivers, people with dementia, ministers, hospital chaplains, and medical practitioners as he explores two primary questions: * Who am I when I've forgotten who I am? * What does it mean to love God and be loved by God when I have forgotten who God is? Offering compassionate and carefully considered theological and pastoral responses to dementia and forgetfulness, Swinton's Dementia: Living in the Memories of God redefines dementia in light of the transformative counter story that is the gospel.

This educational workbook helps people who build compassionate relationships with dying people. Accompanied by its trainer's guide, it presents a comprehensive, sequential learning program for caregivers in non-medical capacities covering everything from self-understanding to spiritual issues, listening skills and expressive activities, developing the skills, awareness and resilience needed for this privileged and sensitive role. The program includes a variety of learning experiences, including large and small group activities, discussion, close reading, creative writing, self exploration, and skill development and practice. This is an invaluable resource for small groups of individuals who wish to volunteer in hospice or palliative care settings. A copy of the guide for trainers is included in each pack of workbooks, and is also freely available online. 'The best resource I have seen to guide teachers and learners in this complex training process. I predict that those of you who try it with your staffs and trainees will find that it bears fruit both for your patients and their families, but also for the sustenance and personal development of the staff members themselves.' Timothy Quill, M.D., in his Foreword

This enlightening volume provides first-hand perspectives and ethnographic research on communication at the end of life, a topic that has gone largely understudied in communication literature. Author Elissa Foster' s own experiences as a volunteer hospice caregiver form the basis of the book. "Communicating at the End of Life" recounts the stories of Foster and six other volunteers and their communicative experiences with dying patients, using communication theory and research findings to identify insights on the relationships they form throughout the process. What unfolds is a scholarly examination of a subject that is significant to every individual at some point in the life process.
Organized chronologically to follow the course of Foster' s involvement with hospice and the phases of the study, the book opens with Part 1, providing background and contextual information to help readers understand subsequent stories about communication between volunteers and patients. Part 2 of the volume emphasizes the adjustments required by the volunteers as they entered the world of hospice and the worlds of the patients. Part 3 underscores the importance of improvisation and finding balance within the role of volunteer-- in particular how to be fully present for patients as well as their family members. The volume concludes with Part 4, which addresses how volunteers coped with the death of their patients and what they learned from the experience of volunteering.
"Communicating at the End of Life "is appropriate for scholars and advanced students studying personal relationships, health communication, gerontology, interpersonal communication, lifespancommunication, and communication & aging. Its unique content offers precious and meaningful insights on the communication processes at a critical point in the life process.

This book explores the Care Trust concept promoted by central government for improving partnership working between health and social care. Using case studies and examples to raise current issues related to partnership working it explains how Care Trusts are bridging the gap between health and social care and considers how they are delivering more co-ordinated services and improved outcomes. All healthcare and social care professionals with responsibility for involved in or affected by the new partnership working arrangements will find this book useful reading.

This book provides a clear approach to establishing a user involvement system in a healthcare organisation and its potential impact on cancer services. Using a tool kit style approach drawing on examples of successful past projects and case studies to provide evidence of good practice it describes how to plan and implement different stages of user involvement enabling organisations to draw on user experience and expertise to evaluate develop and improve the quality of service that they provide. Members of regional cancer networks multidisciplinary cancer care teams and all those involved in the NHS cancer services will find this toolkit interesting reading.

During a pandemic lockdown full of pyjama dance parties, life talks, and final goodbyes, a family helps a father die with dignity. In April 2020, journalist Mitchell Consky received bad news: his father was diagnosed with a rare and terminal cancer, with less than two months to live. Suddenly, he and his extended family -- many of them healthcare workers -- were tasked with reconciling the social distancing required by the Covid-19 pandemic with a family-based approach to end-of-life care. The result was a home hospice during the first lockdown. Suspended within the chaos of medication and treatments were dance parties, episodes of Tiger King, and his father's many deadpan jokes. Leaning into his journalistic intuitions, Mitchell interviewed his father daily, making audio recordings of final talks, emotional goodbyes, and the unexpected laughter that filled his father's final days. Serving as a catalyst for fatherly affection, these interviews became an opportunity for emotional confession during the slowed-down time of a shuttered world, and reflect how far a family went in making a dying loved one feel safe at home.