Living at the End of Life: A Hospice Nurse Addresses the Most Common Questions Paperback – September 6, 2011

Dying or being with someone who is dying is not something people like to discuss. When my beloved grandfather was suffering, I got my hands on "Living at the End of Life" for the others around him that were suffering . I was curious about the questions it addressed, found it was a quick read, so I cruised through it before passing it on. To be honest I cannot remember a lot of what was in the book, but I clearly remember it made me feel like I could handle this situation, that I could be helpful, and do it with grace. When things came up I wasn't expecting, like needing to wash him, I was ready. I had the courage to do what he needed me to do, because I had knowledge. The book gave me a better perspective on what things were like from his perspective, from my grandma's perspective, and the others involved. I found it so comforting, I gave a copy to a dear friend that was with her 100 year-old-grandmother in her last days and to my mother-in-law when trying to understand why her mother no longer wanted to eat. Both found it very comforting and informative. It is a book everyone should read, but it is especially for someone caring for a loved one during such a demanding time.

Of course, you will cry reading this book but it is extremely informative. It will help you feel better prepared for yourself and for a loved one when end of life is near. If you are beginning a career as a care giver and have no experience with end of life care, this book will give you the knowledge to feel more confident and capable.

Everything I want and need to know! Simply written and a resource book that will always be on my shelf and on the tip of my tongue when I find others in need of such support. Thank you Karen Whitley for having the foresight to write such a wonderful and engaging piece of work. As a Hospice volunteer and a friend who is losing a dear friend this book has clarified so many things that if I had not read it I would have done wrong. When I say wrong I simply mean I would not have been wise enough to steer her along all the precious end-of-life moments that she deserves. I visit her often and because of Karen Whitley's writings each visit is richer than the previous one. I learned to listen, laugh, cry and touch...............

This book brought such a much needed perspective and comfort to me as I navigated through my father's cancer and dying process. It wasn't easy to pick this up and actually start reading it because I knew I'd have to face what was ahead, however painful it was to be.That said, I needed to read those words and learn about what was in it, and I truly believe this book helped to make my final visits with my dad more meaningful, and could also help my kids through this as well. I can't imagine having gone through this without this book. Thanks so much to Ms Bell for writing this!

The author writes with deep understanding, compassion and intelligence. This book shares people's personal stories and each one touches you deeply. I wish I's read this, many years ago, when my mother was lying, riddled with cancer in a hospice bed. I believe it would have helped me to cope with the process and her subsequent death.At the same time I found this book quite beautiful. The stories, although sad at times are also strangely uplifting, making you see the true beauty of life and the human spirit. A life changing read.

I recommend this book for anyone involved with hospice care... from patients and caregivers to hospice staff members and volunteers. The book is easy to read and is loaded with good, practical information. I enjoyed the stories that addressed the issues faced by hospice patients and their family members. Every aspect of hospice care is covered... from symptom management and medication use to the emotional challenges faced by patients and their caregivers. I wish that I had this book available to me when I started working as a hospice nurse. I checked out the book from my local library and now recommending that my hospice purchase several copies for staff use and to loan out or give to our patients. I can't think of one thing that the book didn't cover. For hospices, this book should be required reading for all new staff. For those considering hospice for themselves or a loved one... this is the only book that you need to buy.

The book entitled, "Living at the End of Life" was extremely comforting to one of my family members when her mother was near the end of life and in a Hospice Care Facility. She raved about the fact that it was so very comforting to her and has since loaned it to several friends who are faced with the near death of a loved one. I had planned to purchase the book and pass it on to a friend, but decided to keep it in my library, as my own. Living at the End of Life: A Hospice Nurse Addresses the Most Common Questions

I have purchased this book for different family members that have loved ones entering hospice. In such an uncertain time this book was a grounding force that gave my family a way to understand what they were going through and a guide to make the most of this time. Not only did it help them understand the process, it made them better advocates and helped them better connect with their loved one in hopsice care. In removing some of the fear and the unknown Living at the End of Life is a gift for those in the midst of the hospice experience.

(The english review is on the lower part.)Der Tod ist allen bekannt, aber jedes Leben ist anders, wenn es zu Ende geht. Gemeinsam ist nur, dass (wenn man durch das Tor schreitet) nicht zurück kommt. Hospizmitarbeiter, ob nun professionell oder geschulte Ehrenamtliche können das bestätigen. Dieses Buch gibt einen Einblick in die letzten Stunden, anhand von vielen Beispielen. Der Autorin ist es gelungen, dieses schwierige Thema auf zu arbeiten und in kleinen Abschnitten verständlich lesbar zu machen. Es ist besonders geeeignet, die Augen zu öffnen, um die Sprache der Sterbenden besser zu verstehen. Sie hilft damit, besser auf den Sterbenden ein zu gehen.Buch und Einband sind stabil gebunden. Ich habe oft darin gelesen. Und selten habe ich so spontan 5 Sterne gegeben.Note: I am not an english native speaker. Please excuse the mistakes in writing!Everbody knows what death is, but every life will be ending differently. What they have in common is, (If someone ispassing through that door) he will not come back. Hospiceemployees, whether they are professionals or volunteers, will acknowledge, the different circumstances, based on their experience.This book will give an insight during the last hours, with the help of many described situations. The writer managed this difficult task, to make it possibe, to understand the sometimes nonverbal communication.She is helping you, to better serve dying people.Book and binding are very stable. I have been reading this book many times and I have seldom assigned 5 stars that sponaniously.

Would suggest to anyone experiencing a palliative diagnosis. Easy to understand, empowering and well written.