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meg_teg's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
3.5
3.5/5
Gave me a lot of peace. Written with compassion, honesty, and gentle bluntness. Anyone dealing with the slow death and decline of a loved one will feel seen and supported by this book. It took away a lot of the fear, confusion, and helplessness associated with end of life care as a family member <3
Gave me a lot of peace. Written with compassion, honesty, and gentle bluntness. Anyone dealing with the slow death and decline of a loved one will feel seen and supported by this book. It took away a lot of the fear, confusion, and helplessness associated with end of life care as a family member <3
drsuzbark's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.25
This book helped me better understand hospice and things that might be experienced when a family member is nearing the end of their life.
ckausch's review against another edition
5.0
I read this when a friend was dying of cancer, and not only did it make being with her more special, it also changed my perspective on dying.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
“A terminal illness doesn’t belong only to the one who is sick—it affects family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers. Not unlike a still pond disturbed by a falling stone, an impending death sends ripples through all the relationships in the life of the dying. Each person involved has his or her own set of issues, fears, and questions.”
I don’t know when I will need the information in this book. It is likely I will need it at least once in my life and maybe more often. Every time I think back on this book, I realize that I probably should own my own copy. There is so much here and my brain can’t quite contain it all.
The most important message seems to be to pay attention to the dying. Listening is vital and believing is second. When my dad was dying, we tried hard to make him comfortable. I am not sure we did a good job of paying attention. I will try to do better the next time I am with a dying person.
I am sure that some people would argue with some of the conclusions that the authors make. Part of me is skeptical. However, this book is the experiences of two women who have worked with the dying for decades. I am willing to believe that they have had these encounters. I may have different things happen to me when the time comes, but they don’t suggest that we do anything hard. Just listen and be with those that we care for. That is both easy and very hard.
I don’t know when I will reread this, but I suspect it would be a good idea to do so.
I don’t know when I will need the information in this book. It is likely I will need it at least once in my life and maybe more often. Every time I think back on this book, I realize that I probably should own my own copy. There is so much here and my brain can’t quite contain it all.
The most important message seems to be to pay attention to the dying. Listening is vital and believing is second. When my dad was dying, we tried hard to make him comfortable. I am not sure we did a good job of paying attention. I will try to do better the next time I am with a dying person.
I am sure that some people would argue with some of the conclusions that the authors make. Part of me is skeptical. However, this book is the experiences of two women who have worked with the dying for decades. I am willing to believe that they have had these encounters. I may have different things happen to me when the time comes, but they don’t suggest that we do anything hard. Just listen and be with those that we care for. That is both easy and very hard.
I don’t know when I will reread this, but I suspect it would be a good idea to do so.
dust_despair's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful and touching book written by two hospice nurses, Final Gifts shares insight into understanding and recognizing the unique needs of the dying. I would highly recommend his book to caregivers, family and friends of someone who is terminally ill, or those looking to work in the deathcare industry.
The book is primarily filled with stories and anecdotes from the authors’ experiences. At first I wanted more of an “educational” book but as I continued reading I realized there’s no better education than first-hand encounters. The stories are heartfelt, occasionally tear jerking, and amazing examples of what Nearing Death Awareness may look like.
The book is primarily filled with stories and anecdotes from the authors’ experiences. At first I wanted more of an “educational” book but as I continued reading I realized there’s no better education than first-hand encounters. The stories are heartfelt, occasionally tear jerking, and amazing examples of what Nearing Death Awareness may look like.
tiffanyreadsbooks24's review against another edition
5.0
Wish I had been able to read this a month earlier. A good & helpful read for anyone who has someone close to them near their end of days. I stood up to a Dr. and called his BS when he tried to say my dad needed to back off pain meds because he was seeing things that weren't there. Oh believe me, they WERE there.
louise56637's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful, difficult, challenging and yet inspiring. Everyone should read this book.
lanidacey's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly, this could have been a pamphlet.
Published in 1992, this book consists of short paragraphs of information followed by pages of anecdotes based on "real" patients the authors worked with in their careers. Only the last chapter focuses solely on providing practical advice. I guess this was life before the internet.
The other chapters do offer some tips, but they're extremely basic. According to this book, dying people are sometimes sad. They sometimes say confusing things. And, they'll sometimes stare off into space and talk to people or heavenly creatures who aren't there. Because they're dying. Be nice to them despite all this. Because they're dying.
Also, given my mother's disease, none of it was practical as she stopped being able to speak or interact with us about two weeks before her death. So, yeah. This was just a book full of missed opportunities and chances we never got.
Published in 1992, this book consists of short paragraphs of information followed by pages of anecdotes based on "real" patients the authors worked with in their careers. Only the last chapter focuses solely on providing practical advice. I guess this was life before the internet.
The other chapters do offer some tips, but they're extremely basic. According to this book, dying people are sometimes sad. They sometimes say confusing things. And, they'll sometimes stare off into space and talk to people or heavenly creatures who aren't there. Because they're dying. Be nice to them despite all this. Because they're dying.
Also, given my mother's disease, none of it was practical as she stopped being able to speak or interact with us about two weeks before her death. So, yeah. This was just a book full of missed opportunities and chances we never got.