Making the Most of Every Moment: A Patient’s Guide to Living With Hospice – Teri Collet

Most of us live our lives believing there will be decades of “tomorrows” to do the things that are important to us. Entering hospice care is a harsh jolt to that belief. Suddenly time seems very short and filled with uncertainties. Difficult questions and feelings arise. This booklet is written to help with the challenges, concerns and questions common to this season of life.

Dying Well:  The Prospect for Growth at the End of Life – Ira Byock, M.D.

Dying Well brings us to the homes and bedsides of families with whom Dr. Byock, a longtime hospice physician and a spokesperson for the hospice movement, has worked, telling stories of love and reconciliation in the face of tragedy, pain, and conflict. It provides a blueprint for families, showing us how to deal with doctors, how to talk to friends and relatives, and how to make the end of life as meaningful and precious as the beginning.

Final Journeys: A Practical Guide for Bringing Care and Comfort at the End of Life – Maggie Callanan

For more than two decades, hospice nurse Maggie Callanan has tended to the terminally ill and been a cornerstone of support for their loved ones. Now the coauthor of the classic bestseller Final Gifts passes along the lessons she has learned from the experts—her patients. Here is the guide we all need to understanding the special needs of the dying and those who care for them.

Being a Compassionate Companion – Frank Ostaseki

Frank Ostaseski shows us how to draw on our innate wisdom, compassion and generosity to assist in the journey of continuous discovery that begins with the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness. In an intimate conversational style, Frank shares deeply moving stories from 20 years of caring for the dying. It will be profoundly useful to those accompanying someone facing death, those coming to terms with loss and to anyone wishing to open fully to life.

Tuesdays with Morrie:  An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson – Mitch Albom

“A deeply moving account of courage and wisdom, shared by an inveterate mentor looking into the multitextured face of his own death. There is much to be learned by sitting in on this final class.” -Jon Kabat-Zinn

Share The Care: How to Organize a Group to Care for Someone Who Is Seriously Ill – Cappy Capossela and Sheila Warnock

Detailing their personal experience with a dying friend, the authors demonstrate how the aphorism “many hands make light work” holds true. By developing “caring networks,” the work is spread among friends, neighbors, and family members, alleviating stress on the primary caregiver and providing peace of mind to the patient. This book includes sample forms and checklists, allowing readers to use it as a springboard to create their own group and providing practical advice and reassurance.