Essentials in Hospice and Palliative Care: A Practical Resource For Every Nurse

All Life and Death Matters resources were created by Kath Murray, a veteran hospice and palliative care nurse, and are designed to:

• Meet national competencies and learning outcomes related to hospice and palliative care and end-of-life care
• Enhance best practice interactions
• Increase caregiver confidence and competence in caring for the dying person and family
• Decrease caregiver fears and concerns
• Increase caregiver ability to respond to challenging issues
• Help instructors and students provide excellent care for the dying person and their family

The book provides information on:

• Understanding the dying process
• Integrating a palliative approach
• Preparing to care
• Using standardized tools
• Enhancing physical comfort
  • Principles and practices of hospice and palliative care
  • The process of providing care
  • Pain and symptom management
• Providing psychosocial care
• Palliative care and physician assisted dying
• Caring in the last days and hours
• Caring for you, the caregiver!

Kath has taken the theory and principles of palliative care, her experience as an excellent bedside nurse, and her compassion for both those receiving and giving care, and merged them into these amazing books. Kath presents complex issues in practical and clear ways. Through stories and illustrations she reminds us that care includes the person, the family, and ourselves. She shares all the necessary tools, knowledge, and skills, while emphasizing that it is our presence and human connection with people that create truly meaningful moments for all those who are involved. Wendy Wainwright, MSW, MEd, Co-author, Transitions in Dying and Bereavement, Co-editor, Medical Care of the Dying