A Practical Guide to End of Life Care

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    

Table of Contents:
Forewords Contributors   1. Thinking about dying – setting the scene       2. What does end of life care mean?      3. Where are people cared for and who is involved?     4. How can we communicate with people about dying?     5. What are the common physical symptoms at the end of life and how can we help?       6. What are the common non-physical symptoms at the end of life and how can we help?     7. How can we help families and carers?     8. How do people’s beliefs and values influence their dying?    9. What happens in the last hours of life?     10. What to do when someone dies and afterwards      11. How can we look after ourselves?      12. Frequently asked questions   Glossary of helpful terms Useful websites, books and other resources References  

About the Author :
Clair Sadler is a Senior Lecturer in palliative care. She delivers taught and distance learning courses in palliative care to a range health care professionals, carers and the general public through Princess Alice Hospice, Surrey, UK. The hospice is a charity based in Surrey providing in-patient and community care for 2,500 people every year. It provides education and training on a national and international basis.