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.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
March 1, 2017 -
Formats
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781633410367
- File size: 345 KB
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781633410367
- File size: 345 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Publisher's Weekly
Starred review from January 23, 2017
Fersko-Weiss, founder of the first End-of-Life Doula program in the U.S., defines the core features of this powerful framework for supporting the dying and their families, modeled on the compassionate care services that birth doulas provide. Moreover, he offers guidance for anyone hoping to engage the approaching death of a loved one with grace and intention. With Buddhist calm and a sense of thoughtful presence, Fersko-Weiss shares the core tools doulas use to help the dying approach “ego integrity” by reflecting, exploring meaning, and addressing unresolved conflict, while also helping them choose the surroundings that make them feel comforted and appreciated. Approaches such as creating a legacy project and planning the vigil can help family members process fear and allow closeness to continue until the end. Although not structured as a guidebook, enough detail is included that families without access to a doula could successfully use many of the ideas on their own. Warm stories of client experiences give permission to imagine a death experienced with as much humanity as the rest of life, with profound results for everyone affected by the event. Fersko-Weiss’s perspective is a desperately needed reminder of the value of facing life’s most difficult transitions with open eyes and hearts. -
Library Journal
Starred review from January 1, 2017
Doulas have assisted women in childbirth for decades; now the model is being applied to the dying and their families. Fersko-Weiss, a licensed clinical social worker and cofounder and executive director of the International End of Life Doula Association, explains how doulas can alleviate suffering and deepen meaning during a person's final weeks of life. He describes the tools and techniques they use--deep listening, life review, legacy projects, planning for death, guided imagery, ritual, the death vigil, and reprocessing with the family after death--to ensure that the dying and their families can work through lingering issues and find peace and meaning. Experiences from the author's many years as an end-of-life doula illustrate the concepts presented and provide examples that readers can apply and adapt to their own situations. This book appears to be the first and only title available on end-of-life doulas. VERDICT Written for families and caregivers, this book provides a clear overview of end-of-life doulas and a compelling case for their wider use in terminal care. It also supplies some wonderful ideas and techniques for all readers who want to have a more peaceful, meaningful death for themselves or their loved ones.--Janet Crum, Northern Arizona Univ. Lib., Flagstaff
Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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Formats
- OverDrive Read
- EPUB ebook
Languages
- English
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