What People Are Saying about This BookFrom Publishers Weekly, Starred Review 3/29/2010
As a hospice nurse for 16 years, Bell understands the concept of a "good death." A daily witness to fatal illness and end-of-life moments, Bell's powerful message is aimed at making sure the final months or days of a patient are well-lived, marked by peace, comfort, and a chance to say goodbye. Illustrating the tenets and benefits of palliative care with firsthand accounts of her patients, Bell manages, as stated by American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine founding member and former president Charles G. Sasser in his foreword, to place readers "at bedsides during one of the most intimate of life's dramas." As such, she delivers a wealth of useful information on pain management, choosing a hospice and general day-to-day care giving in a powerful, hard-to-forget way. Straightforward and empathetic, with an easy-to-navigate style, Bell details what to expect in both physical and spiritual terms, including practical considerations as well as ways to find closure and cope with loss. (Mar.) From Amazon Books http://www.amazon.com/Living-End-Life-Addresses-Questions/dp/1402768389 5.0 out of 5 stars I bought this book for my Mother, who has a terminal illness. Here's what she had to say: "I have nearly completed the book you gave us, thank you so very much. It is wonderful! It answers many questions, and your Father will read it also. There are many answers to precisely the questions that have been spinning around in my head. I think with this information, we will be able to move forward in the best way and in the best times." 5.0 out of 5 stars 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. From the blog “Living with Acute Myeloid Leukemia” http://www.connieore.com From the Pierce County Washington Aging and Disability Resource Center Newsletter, March 2010 RN Reflects on Hospice Staff Pick for February 2010, the Bayard Taylor Library, Chester County Pennsylvania From Advance for Nurses, Recommended Books, February 2010 A comprehensive and thoughtful guide for those facing death and for the people around them, covering what they can expect to experience emotionally and physically, and much more. |
Living at the End of Life: A Hospice Nurse Addresses the Most Common Questions,