The most thorough text available on providing patients and families with quality end-of-life care "The study/learning questions at the end of each chapter make this book an excellent resource for both faculty who wish to test knowledge, and individual learners who wish to assess their own learning....The book is well written and easy to read. 3 Stars."--Doody's Review Service End of Life Care: A Practical Guide offers solution-oriented coverage of the real-world issues and challenges that arise daily for clinicians caring for those with life-limiting illnesses and conditions. End of Life Care: A Practical Guide includes specific clinical guidance for pain management and other common end of life symptoms. The second edition has been made even more essential with the addition of chapter-ending Q&A for self assessment and board review, new coverage of multicultural medicine, an increased number of algorithms to assist decision making on complicated clinical, legal, and ethical issues. Six sections walk you through the complexities of caring for patients who are nearing the end of life: Preparing Patients for End of Life Management of Symptoms Diagnostic and Invasive Interventions Ethical Dilemmas Special Populations Diversity No other text better assists physicians and other clinicians in providing patients near the end of life with support, guidance, and hope in the face of “hopelessness” than End of Life Care: A Practical Guide.

Designed for easy use at the bedside, this manual contains the practical information health care professionals need to provide optimal end-of-life care. The book presents a multidimensional, holistic approach to assessment and management of the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of the patient and family. Topics covered include cultural diversity in end-of-life care; communicating with patients and families; predicting life expectancy; terminal care; non-pain symptom management; pain control; palliative interventions; pediatric palliative care; record keeping; and ethics. The succinct, user-friendly presentation features bullet points and numerous quick-reference tables. Each chapter includes an "In a Nutshell" summary of key points.

There are few things requiring more expertise, delicacy, and compassion than caring for an infant, child, or young adult with a life-limiting condition. Written by leading researchers, clinicians from relevant disciplines, family members, and advocates, this practical guide provides professionals involved in pediatric palliative and end-of-life care with comprehensive information in a single volume. Thoroughly updated and expanded, this edition includes chapters addressing the unique challenges facing children with HIV/AIDS and their families, care in home and ICU settings, difficult decision-making processes, and the importance of communication with the child and family, as well as completely new chapters on spiritual dimensions of care and educational and advocacy initiatives. Intended for primary care physicians, pediatric practitioners and specialists, home care and hospice personnel, pastoral counselors, and affected families, the book includes useful resource and reference material and practical, hands-on tips. With contributions from an international group of expert educators, clinicians, and parents, this book takes a truly interdisciplinary approach to pediatric palliative care, presenting best practices, clear instruction, and the latest information and research for anyone involved in pediatric palliative and end-of-life care.

The time in life when a person or their loved one confronts a serious or terminal illness is trying and stressful. Serious decisions must often be made on short notice and with a minimum of preparation. This time is often burdened by the emotional shock of impending death, and the associated grief. Many people are unprepared to face these trying circumstances and often have little understanding of the medical facts and options available to them.End-of-Life Decisions: A Practical Guide is a concise book designed to provide the relevant information that dying patients and loved ones need to deal with medical decisions and the end of life. It presents, in everyday language, the basic facts regarding end-of-life decision making, the relevant issues concerning mechanical ventilation and tube feeding, as well as discussions of hospice and palliative care, and pain control. This book omits academic discussions of philosophy and tangential anecdotes. When people are confronted with the imminent death of a loved one, they do not wish to wade through hundreds of pages of theory; they need concise facts and accurate information. That's exactly what End-of-Life Decisions provides.

This is the only handbook for hospice and palliative care professionals looking to enhance their care delivery or their programs with LGBTQ-inclusive care. Anchored in the evidence, extensively referenced, and written in clear, easy-to-understand language, LGBTQ-Inclusive Hospice and Palliative Care provides clear, actionable strategies for hospice and palliative physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, and chaplains.

Are you involved in caring for people at the end of their life? Do you have a role in supporting the families of those who are dying, or is this an area of your work you find personally difficult? This book is an accessible guide for all those working in health or social care and caring for people at the end of their lives. This will include people in roles such as healthcare assistant, hospice worker, volunteer, nurse or other carers. Written by experts with extensive experience in delivering high quality end of life care, this book is full of real life examples, reflection exercises and case studies. It also includes insights into what can help make a good death, and how to help support families at the end of life.The easy to read chapters emphasise treating people who are dying with dignity using a person centred approach. The book supports the delivery of quality care by recognising physical and non-physical symptoms, and thinking about various emotional and physical needs people might have. It is also important that care givers look after themselves and advice is given on how best to do this. An essential purchase for anyone looking for guidance or support in this area, and suitable for those working in the community, care homes, hospices, hospitals or other settings where people are cared for. With a Foreword from Dr. Ros Taylor, MBE, National Director for Hospice Care, Hospice UK. “The book strikes a balance between the factual and the personal, and gives the reader detailed information and time to think through reflection exercises.” Deborah Preshaw, doctoral nursing student, Queens University Belfast, UK “This is a beautifully presented learning tool to support the delivery of end of life care. I particularly like the ‘signposts’ which reinforce the intention of the book to enable ‘carers’ to apply what they read to their role in practice.” Liz Bryan, Director of Education and Training, St Christopher's Hospice, UK "This book is a very welcome addition to the literature on end of life care, as it does exactly what it says – it is a practical guide. I highly recommend this book." Mick Coughlan, Programme Leader, The Royal Marsden School, UK "I feel this book would be very useful for those new to palliative care as well as those studying the subject. Relating theory to practice is always powerful and for new nurses and other healthcare professionals this provides context and meaning." Clodagh Sowton, Director of Patient Services, Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care, UK "This is a welcome book to the field of end of life care. This practical guide is accessible and is an excellent bridge between the ‘Lay Person’ and those health care professionals caring for the individual as they approach the end of life. I will be directing students of healthcare towards this impressive, insightful book." Robert Murphy, Senior Lecturer - Adult Nursing, London South Bank University, UK "The material covered is very helpful and the range of authors has been well selected from individuals who are active in clinical practice. The book is practical and clear, and Clair deserves high praise for the contribution it will make to clinicians seeking to improve their palliative care knowledge and skills." Professor Max Watson, Medical Director Northern Ireland Hospice, Visiting Professor University of Ulster, UK

For more than two decades, hospice nurse Maggie Callanan has tended to the terminally ill and been a cornerstone of support for their loved ones. Now the coauthor of the classic bestseller Final Gifts passes along the lessons she has learned from the experts—her patients. Here is the guide we all need to understanding the special needs of the dying and those who care for them. In her work with thousands of families, Maggie Callanan has witnessed the tears, the love—and the confusion and conflict—this final passage can evoke. Now, with honesty, compassion, and even humor, she empowers patients and their families to write the last chapter of their lives with less fear, less pain, and more control—so that all involved can focus their energies on creating the best possible ending. From supporting a husband or wife faced with the loss of a spouse, to helping a dying mother prepare her children to carry on without her, Callanan’s poignant stories illustrate new ways to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of this difficult and precious time. She brings welcome clarity to medical and ethical concerns, explaining what to expect at every stage. Each brief chapter also conveys a home truth about making crucial treatment decisions, supporting the patient’s dignity and individuality, and lightening the burden on caregivers. Final Journeys is designed to be your companion, resource, and advocate. From diagnosis through the final hours, it will help you keep the lines of communication open, get the help you need, and create the peaceful end we all hope for.