Award-winning author Genanne Walsh examines some of the most complex questions that confront terminally-ill individuals and family members wanting to help and support them. Facing life’s end is no easy task. Walsh’s father Gene faced his own end fearlessly and early, but when it arrived there were roadblocks for him, as well as for his loyal and supportive daughter, that they could never have anticipated.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of assisted dying,” Hannig says. “They provide firstline support for families and patients, and it’s hard to overestimate the role they play. In my research, I witnessed how much families and their loved ones leaned on volunteers for their technical expertise but also – and equally importantly – for their human touch and care. In a time of great vulnerability and uncertainty, volunteers help patients navigate the ins and outs of qualifying for the law and accompanying them each step of the way afterward. The emotional labor volunteers put into their work is nothing short of admirable. I have profound respect for their work.”
I felt sad that they were unable to find that peaceful death in their own home and had to go to Switzerland to find medical aid in dying for early Alzheimer’s disease. As someone who has worked in the field of end-of-life care for over ten years now, it was still shocking to me to read her words about how poorly the US has constructed any kind of system for compassionate end-of-life choice.”
I have never died, so this entire book is a fool’s advice. Book Review On the first page of her new book, Sallie Tisdale writes: “I have never died, so this entire book is a fool’s advice.” But with her knowledge, experience and kind Buddhist heart she explores many...
Editor's note: We know that focusing on helping our families and supporting our communities in the effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is of the utmost importance. During this time, we will continue to share with you, dear readers, our blogs and other...
In the last several years, there have been many wonderful books about how we navigate dying. This interest coincides with a movement toward questioning the current use of technology up against an individual’s desire to have some control at the end of life. We are...
Several months ago, I had the good fortune to hear Barbara Coombs Lee speak about her new book, Finish Strong: Putting Your Priorities First at Life’s End. Barbara, a former nurse, physician assistant, and now an attorney, is the president of Compassion &...
“A straightforward, well-organized, nondepressing guide to managing the run-up to one’s inevitable demise.” Amanda Urban, Publisher’s Weekly “The surprising comfort of a new book about death” Michael Dirda, The Washington Post “No, you won’t survive your death,...
