Caring for the dying
Subtitle: the doula approach to a meaningful death
By: Henry Fersko-Weiss
Publisher: Red Wheel
Published: 2017
Language: eng
Number of pages: 222
ISBN-13: 9781573246965
Subjects: Terminally ill; Death; Terminal care; Doulas; Care
Description: Caring for the Dying describes a whole new way to approach death and dying. It explores how the dying and their families can bring deep meaning and great comfort to the care given at the end of a life. Created by Henry Fersko-Weiss, the end-of-life doula model is adapted from the work of birth doulas and helps the dying to find meaning in their life, express that meaning in powerful and beautiful legacies, and plan for the final days. The approach calls for around-the-clock vigil care, so the dying person and their family have the emotional and spiritual support they need along with guidance on signs and symptoms of dying. It also covers the work of reprocessing a death with the family afterward and the early work of grieving. Emphasis is placed on the space around the dying person and encourages the use of touch, guided imagery, and ritual during the dying process. Throughout the book Fersko-Weiss tells amazing and encouraging stories of the people he has cared for, as well as stories that come from doulas he has trained and worked with over the years. What is unique about this book is the well-conceived and thorough approach it describes to working skillfully with the dying. The guidance provided can help a dying person, their family, and caregivers to transform the dying experience from one of fear and despair into one that is uplifting and even life affirming. You will see death in a new light and gain a different perspective on how to help the dying. It may even change the way you live your life right now. -- Amazon.com.
Notes: "A gentle guide for families and caregivers"--Cover.
Table of contents: title: A tale of two deaths; title: The end-of-life doula approach; title: Death mythology; title: Truth telling at end of life; title: Deep active listening; title: Life review and the search for meaning; title: Creating legacy projects; title: Planning for the final days; title: Guided imagery; title: Ritual; title: The vigil; title: Reprocessing and grief.