Chapters can be read in any order, based on your needs. You do not need to read the entire guide. Read only what you feel will be of value to you.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
