Life is a journey, and so is end of life and we can prepare for it in the same way as we would prepare for any journey, making sure that all loose ends are tied up.’

Once a taboo subject, end of life is becoming a ‘red-hot’ topic as more people realize that the care and arrangements for their own end of life are in their own hands. In addition, new government initiatives in respect of carers and caring and of dementia care are bringing the subject to the fore.

The foreword to our book has been written by Ciaran Devane, CEO of Macmillan Cancer Support who states:
 
‘There is much wisdom in the pages of this book. It offers practical advice in a caring way and it is hard to say any of it is more or less important than the rest.  But it is important that those of us who want to improve end of life care understand some of the critical things which can have a disproportionately significant impact on whether someone has a good death, or not

This Essential Guide for carers, be they professional or friends and relations, provides information across a range of concerns surrounding end of life.The book tackles this difficult subject in a practical and caring way, showing how appropriate arrangements can be made to ensure the dying person’s wishes about dying and post-death (funerals or celebrations of life and mourning ceremonies) are carried out. From the practical point of view, the book covers making a Will, making an Advance Directive, donating body tissue and organs and giving directions for ones own funeral or life celebration and/or memorial service. From an emotional view point the book discusses grief including anticipatory grief, ways of coping with grief, and the importance of grieving.

While invaluable for general readers facing these difficult issues, the book will be of specific interest to carers in residential/nursing homes and in hospitals together with counsellors, palliative care workers and teachers and students on courses in Health and Social Care and Nursing