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elisha_paige's review against another edition
4.0
I was aware of much of the frustrating aspects of palliative and end-of-life care due to my career in oncology. I applaud Ms. Butler for her call-to-arms for all of us to push for Medicare/insurance reform to change to quality of life care and not the "do-everything-at-any-cost-until-the -very-end care". I believe this book should be given to every person at their first Medicare physical.
nurseamandarose's review against another edition
4.0
Very lovely book. I most loved the stories included of families going through different experiences of navigating the death of their loved one. It's extremely difficult navigating the healthcare system in the U.S. and I think the author did a great job of breaking it down. This book is helpful for anyone who is or loves someone at the end of a terminal illness or very elderly preparing for end of life As a new nurse working in oncology, I found it accurate and wholesome, and gave me a better perspective on how to work with my patients who are dying and their families as well.
whittenholmes's review against another edition
Very useful book, I'm just not in the space for it right now.
staceface's review against another edition
While the information in this book is practical knowledge for every human being, I found it not feeling super relevant (GRATEFULLY) to my life right now, as someone in her 30s who doesn’t have anyone I love nearing death. My parents turn 70 this year though, and it made me want to have more open conversations with them about their end-of-life wishes. I skimmed the last couple chapters, but the book is structured in a way that readers can identify chapters which apply to them and read in any order. Overall, I do recommend this one.
psychephoenix's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful writing with many practical considerations for preparing your end of life and death plans. Way too much on Medicaid for my purposes (Canada) but there are so many nuggets of gold that it was worth the read. Got me thinking about legacy and also inspired me to try to quit smoking again (an unexpected but welcomed reaction). I will revisit this one again
lcs's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent resources and realistic suggestions about navigating end of life for yourself or a loved one.
jbracken's review against another edition
4.0
SOBERING. Made me lament over and over this whole being human thing. BUT so much useful information, and as we will all die one day, something I'd recommend every one read. That being said, the fact that she didn't include an honest analysis of how medical racism and sexism might impact ones end-of-life was a big blind spot. I wish she'd discussed with people who know practical ways to try to circumvent--or confront-- this as much as possible.
bluejayreads's review against another edition
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.75
This is not really what I expected. I expected something more about getting your affairs in order and Medical Power of Attorneys and deciding what kinds of medical interventions you do and don't want - something similar to Being Mortal. There is some of that in this book, but it's also much, much more.
The Art of Dying Well is basically a step-by-step (or more accurately, stage-of-aging-by-stage-of-aging) guide to both the years leading up to your death and the dying process itself. The focus is on what you can do to maintain your functionality and independence as long as possible and limit your suffering when the inveitable becomes immediate. Whether you're just starting to realize you're no longer a spring chicken (or just received a terminal diagnosis), too far gone to make your own decisions (that chapter is addressed to caretakers), or somewhere in between, Katy talks about what's going to be most important going forward, what you should focus on at this stage, some recommendations for programs, tools, and care, and which medical interventions are worthwhile and which will do more harm than good. Interspersed with all this is invaluable advice about having hard conversations, making sure your doctor and family are clear on what you want, getting paperwork in order, and navigating the American healthcare system.
I don't often like saying "everyone should read this book." But if you are going to die someday or know someone who will, this book is full of useful information. Not all of it will be entirely relevant if you're not American, but there's still enough that isn't America-specific to make this an invaluable resource. Death is scary and nobody knows for sure what happens after, if anything, but The Art of Dying Well is as close to a how-to manual for dying as you're going to find.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Cancer, Terminal illness, and Medical content
Moderate: Grief
penguin_loves_reading's review against another edition
5.0
Very comforting book about dying and gives you a sense of control over you/your loved ones' end of life.