The Best Death: How to Die Well

Description

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, how do you plan for the best death possible? In April 2008 Sarah Winch's husband, Lincoln, died from kidney cancer that was diagnosed only four months earlier. He was 48. Sarah and Lincoln prepared as best they could for his death. Her 30 years as a registered nurse and ethicist, specifically focused on end-of-life care, did not fully prepare Sarah for Lincoln's death, but it did help them plan for the best death possible. This book advocates for taking control of the final stages of life. It opens up the conversation around death and encourages us to become more informed about how we want to die. This is an intimate, compassionate and practical guide, from someone with uniquely relevant personal and professional experience. Cover Author Biography Imprint Page Title Page Contents Dedication Dying well How it all began How to use this book Chapter 1: Are you living the last 12 months of your life? Understanding bad news Believing bad news Techniques to help you believe bad news Telling others and managing reactions Tips for telling others Doing research The Google queen Understanding the language Understanding ‘diagnosis’ Understanding ‘prognosis’ Experience versus statistics Chapter 2: Getting the support you need Palliative care Accessing palliative care services Early access to palliative care extends quality of life and living time Developing support teams Formal support systems Informal support systems The internet Where are you going to die? Dying at home Dying in a hospice Dying in hospital Dying in residential aged care facilities Working out your preferred option Chapter 3: Developing a plan for a good death Your death plan or wish list Defining quality of life Understanding ‘dignity’ Respecting autonomy Autonomy at end of life Understanding futile treatment Consent to treatment Cultural requirements Developing your plan Steps to developing your end-of-life plan Getting the help you need Shifting the goalposts Being flexible Chapter 4: The legalities What decisions can I make in advance? Who do I tell about my documents? Financial issues Euthanasia Chapter 5: Dying 101 Reviewing your goals and plan Body changes that precede death How long does it take to die? Comfort measures Administration of medications The management of pain Staying with the body Chapter 6: Troubleshooting The care standards you should expect Healthcare facility standards Respectful communication Dealing with care issues at the ward or unit level in a healthcare facility Having difficult conversations Dying at home What you can expect from the home visiting service Getting organised with equipment Using emergency departments Escalating concerns Changing teams or doctors Working with healthcare staff to get the best care Chapter 7: Reflections on grief A confession Grief and loss Taking care of yourself Getting out and about Building a memorial Final thoughts Is a good death possible? Appendix 1: Nursing hierarchies Appendix 2: Useful websites and phone numbers