Death and Dying Sourcebook, 4th Ed.

Although death is considered a taboo subject, it is inevitable. Some people die suddenly while others pass away after long-term struggles with chronic disabilities or diseases. Considering the dying process in advance allows people to talk about their choices concerning end-of-life medical preferences. Discussing these topics can be difficult, but appropriate planning allows people to remain in charge of their healthcare even after they are no longer able to make decisions. Additionally, knowledge about loved ones’ wishes can help friends and families cope with the shock and grief of death.

Death and Dying Sourcebook, Fourth Edition provides information about end-of-life perspectives and the medical management of symptoms that can occur as death draws near. It discusses palliative care and describes issues surrounding life support choices, the termination of life-sustaining treatment, and the donation process for organs and tissues. The book also addresses caregiver concerns and provides information about children and death. Facts about legal and economic issues at the end of life, funerals and other final arrangements, and grief are also included, along with statistical data, a glossary, and directories of support groups and other resources.

This book is divided into parts and chapters. Parts focus on broad areas of interest. Chapters are devoted to single topics within a part.

Part I: End-of-Life Perspectives begins by defining end-of-life care and discusses the importance of end-of-life planning. Cultural and spiritual concerns that impact end-of-life decisions are discussed, and research findings about end-of-life care are also described.

Part II: Medical Management of End-of-Life Symptoms begins with an explanation of palliative care. Pain management and assessment is discussed in detail, and information on managing and treating fatigue is also provided. Specific information for cancer and dementia patients is also included.

Part III: Medical Decisions Surrounding the End of Life presents facts about life support choices, termination of treatments, organ and tissue donation, and physician-assisted suicide. It also provides specific information for commonly experienced end-of-life issues related to Alzheimer disease, advanced cancer, and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

Part IV: End-of-Life Care Facilities offers guidelines for evaluating care facilities and selecting options based on the needs of patients and care-givers. Hospice care, long-term care, home care, and other alternatives are described.

Part V: End-of-Life Caregiving has practical information for caregivers about coordinating communications among patients, families, and healthcare and support service providers. Topics include how to help at the end of life, the dying process, what to do when death occurs, and self-care tips for caregivers.

Part VI: Death and Children: Information for Parents provides advice about caring for terminally ill children and grieving the death of a child. Guidance for helping children cope with death, funerals, and grief is also presented.

Part VII: Legal and Economic Issues at the End of Life presents guidelines for advance directives, financial assistance, taxes, and social security issues. It also describes patients’ legal rights, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the duties of an executor.

Part VIII: Final Arrangements offers practical information about planning funerals or memorial services, certification of death, and how to facilitate arrangements if death occurs while traveling. Information on planning a military funeral is also provided. Chapters on grief which address bereavement, how to help grieving people, and tips for working through grief are also included.

Part IX: Mortality Statistics includes global and national mortality trends and statistics on the leading causes of death in the United States, life expectancy at birth, and common causes of fatalities. Disparities in deaths from suicide, alcohol, and stroke are also discussed.

Part X: Additional Help and Information includes a glossary of end-of-life terms, a directory of support groups for end-of-life concerns, and a directory of organizations able to provide more information about death and dying.