End of Life: An Essential Guide for Carers

'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.

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.

Hammersmith Press is an independent publishing house producing books for the general public and health professionals that promote better health and well-being through a greater understanding of the human body and mind, with a particular emphasis on the importance of nutrition and diet.

Some of the areas we publish in include:

-Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP)
-Overcoming Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
-Natural Health & Weight Loss
-Holistic Medicine
-Thyroid Health
-Medical stories
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-Infertility
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Mary Jordan is an Outreach Worker for the Alzheimer's Society and an Associate Director of ELM (End of Life Management Ltd). She has had considerable experience of caring for elderly relatives and friends and worked in the NHS for 9 years. Earlier publications include books on Caring and on GP Practice management, in addition to articles in nursing and social care journals and magazines.

Judy Carole Kauffmann is Director of ELM (End of Life Management Ltd), which she founded in 2006, recognizing that those at the end of their lives needed more support and information.Through ELM she trains in End of Life Care, Grief and Loss, and Dementia. She is also an associate trainer for JPA (dementia specialist trainers) with her clients including Bupa,Age Concern, Care UK, and The Regard Partnership and is a certified Trainer and a volunteer with Samaritans.