Nearing the End of Life

Before the Second World War few of us would have reached adolescence without someone loved dying at home. However tragic and unwelcome, death was accepted as part of life. In our modern, progressive world, death has been more or less hidden away in hospitals, nursing homes and hospices. Consequently, many people can be very fearful and completely unprepared to sit with a dying person, or understand the emotional and spiritual impact this can have on them. Nearing the End of Life is a practical guide to help relatives and friends to overcome their anxiety of the unknown. It explains what happens as someone enters their dying process, and describes the physical changes that occur when death is nearing. It also provides valuable advice about what the dying may need, how to open up difficult conversations, and what to expect when medical staff suggest that life-prolonging treatments need to be withdrawn. Finally, it offers guidance to those experiencing family feuds and grievances, and advice for friends on how best to support the dying person and their relatives.