Living at the End of Life: A Hospice Nurse Addresses the Most Common Questions

Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Part I: What Will Happen? The Spiritual Journey
	What Will It Be Like? An Overview of the End-of-Life Journey
	Will I Be Alone? Will Others Be with You in Your Final Days or Hours?
	Will I Choose My Time? Does the Mind or Spirit Influence When We Pass?
	Will I Be Aware? The Possibility of Consciousness, Even If We’re Not Awake or Responsive
	I Had This Dream . . . A Description of Common Dream Themes
Part II: What Will Happen? The Physical Journey
	What Should I Do Now? Expressing Your Wishes How to Complete Advance Directive and Medical Power of Attorney Forms
	Will I Be in Pain? How Pain Medication Works When to Use It What to Tell Your Doctor How to Minimize Side Effects Understanding Common Pain Medication Myths
	I Don’t Want to Be a Burden . . . Ways to View and Cope with Dependence
	I Wish I Had More Energy . . . Tools to Maximize Energy and Mobility
	Do I Want to Help Plan My Remembrance Service? Ways to Explore This Topic with Loved Ones
Part III: Caregiving as a Family: How Do We Manage?
	I’ve Never Done This Before . . . An Overview of Caregiving
	What Does Hospice Do? An Explanation of Services Why Early Access to Hospice Can Help You and Your Loved Ones
	What If We Don’t Have Hospice Care? Tips for Accessing Resources Making the Most of Your Visit with Your Doctor Guidance for Managing Care in a Rural Community
	I Can’t Do This Alone . . . Suggestions to Gather, Organize, and Manage Support from Friends, Neighbors, and Loved Ones
	How Can I Keep Him Safe? Understanding and Reducing Risks for Both the Individual and Caregiver
	How Do I Bring the Bathroom to Him? Options for Toileting and Bathing
	I Don’t Know What to Say . . . Insights to Achieve a Meaningful Visit
	He Doesn’t Want to Eat . . . Understanding and Adapting to a Changing Appetite Ideas for Adapting Meal Schedules for People with Memory Impairment Suggestions for Easy-to-Digest Foods and Beverages
	For Loved Ones Who Live Far Away: What Can I Do? Staying Informed and Supportive Deciding When to Visit
	I’m Exhausted! Exploring Care Settings Outside the Home Choosing a Care Facility, If Needed, and Paying for Care
Part IV: Closure: Will I Die a “Good” Death?
	I’m Afraid to Lose Control . . . Examining the Fear of Loss of Control and Discovering Ways to Achieve Peace
	I’m Not Ready . . . Making the Most of the Time You Have
	Is It Too Late to Make Amends? Achieving Reconciliation, Forgiveness, and Healing
	I’m Ready—Why Am I Not Going? Understanding and Achieving Acceptance and Peace
	Why Me? Why Am I Being Punished? Reconciling Mortality with Your Religious Beliefs
	We Always Thought We’d Have More Time . . . Realizing Dreams and Appreciating the Choices You Have Made
Part V: For Loved Ones and Caregivers: Sharing the Final Days
	How Do We Keep Her Comfortable? Giving Medication When Your Loved One Can No Longer Swallow Recognizing If Your Loved One Is in Pain Preventing Discomfort
	How Do I Let Go? Saying Good-bye: Helping Your Loved One Achieve Peace
	How Will We Know When the End Is Near? Changes You May See Understanding What These Changes Mean
	I Want to Be with Her When She Passes . . . Meeting Your Loved One’s Needs—and Yours—in the Final Days Ideas to Create a Peaceful Environment
	I Want My Last Memory to Be a Good Memory . . . What to Do at the Time of Death Ideas for Honoring and Caring for Your Loved One at the Time of Death
Part VI: How Will I Go On? Coping with Loss
	I Feel So Alone . . . An Introduction to Grief and Bereavement
	How Are You? How Love and Loss Shape Who We Are
Part VII: Living
	Is There Life after Death? Does It Influence How I Live Now?
	Can I Choose How I Live?
Appendices
	Appendix A: Additional Resources
	Appendix B: Important Documents to Gather
	Appendix C: Common Pain Medications
	Appendix D: Supportive Therapies
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Author