With the number of people requiring palliative and end of life care steadily increasing, it is the responsibility of every nurse, regardless of specialism, to know how to provide high quality care to this group of people. Yet caring for those nearing the end of life can throw up complex issues, including handling bereavement, cultural and ethical issues, delivering care in a wide variety of settings, symptom management and also ensuring your own emotional resilience. This book is specifically designed to equip nursing students and non-specialists with the essential knowledge in relation to the care and management of people nearing the end of life.

In the new edition of this unique professional resource, hospice and palliative care team members-especially social workers and counselors-will find the empirical evidence and compassionate advice they need to provide excellent holistic psychosocial care to individuals who are dying or bereaved. Encompassing the journey through diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, palliative care, and bereavement, this guide describes appropriate interventions for each of the key transitions that more dying patients and their families face. Included throughout are personal reflections and experiences of social workers, counselors, and other team members, common major challenges to the healthcare team, and important considerations for each transition.