"Modern medicine has transformed the dangers of childbirth| injury| and infectious disease from harrowing to manageable. But in the face of our inevitable aging and death| what it can do often runs counter to what it should do. Now Atul Gawande reveals the suffering this has produced. He examines the profession's limitations and failures as life draws to a close| and he shows how the ultimate goal is not a good death| but a good life--until the very...

This program discusses care at the end of life, primarily focusing on pallative care of individuals and their families. The program's focus is on spiritual and supportive aspects of care rather than physical care. Information on the role and importance of advance care planning and advance directives is also presented.

"A layperson's guide for positive end of life self care and advice"-- "An inspiring, informative, and practical guide to navigating end of life issues, by a groundbreaking expert in the field and the New York Times bestselling author of Knocking on Heaven's Door. In the mid-1400s, an unnamed Catholic monk composed a popular self-help book called Ars Moriendi, or The Art of Dying. Written in Latin, this medieval death manual taught people how to...

This program discusses care at the end of life, primarily focusing on palliative care of individuals and their families.

A Buddhist teacher draws from her years of experience in caring for the dying to provide inspiring lessons on how to face death with courage and compassion
 
The Buddhist approach to death can be of great benefit to people of all backgrounds—as has been demonstrated by Joan Halifax’s decades of work with the dying and their caregivers. A Zen priest and a world-renowned pioneer in care of the dying, Halifax has helped...

An advance care plan (ACP) is a legal document that you create to ensure that your wishes for your end of life are made clear and adhered to. An ACP is a good document to have whether you are sick or well. It becomes a crucial document once you are no longer able to express your wishes. In these 'Speaking from experience' video clips, people discuss their experiences of creating an Advance Care Plan, and the benefits of having one in place. They were...

Sharing stories of real people they have encountered as professional hospice caregivers, the authors explore both the practical and philosophical aspects of the hospice movement. Straightforward and nontechnical in approach, Hospice, A Labor of Love offers help and inspiration to hospice volunteers, pastoral counselors, and the families of those who are receiving hospice care.

All of us are entitled to the rewards of a peaceful, pain-free death. This book honors that with true stories about hospice patients and inspiring insights from the author. Becoming Dead Right guides us through the general and "how to" information maze that prepares us for dealing with death. Improving and expanding hospice services will require systemic changes in healthcare institutions, outreach to diverse populations, and funding. With the inclusion...

There's a quiet revolution happening in the way we die. More than 1.5 million Americans a year die in hospice care-nearly 44 percent of all deaths-and a vast industry has sprung up to meet the growing demand. Once viewed as a New Age indulgence, hospice is now a $14 billion business and one of the most successful segments in health care. This book takes a broad, penetrating look at the hospice landscape, through gripping stories of real patients,...