THE NEEDS OF THE DYING
A guide for bringing hope, comfort and love to life’s final chapter
Fiona Hicks and Karen H. Simpson
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David Kessler
Quill, 2000
196pp
ISBN 0-06-095821-9
RRP $US13, £7
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David Kessler describes this book as “one made up of a little psychology, a little medicine, and a little spirituality, mixed with a whole lot of love”, written to familiarize the reader with
the physical and emotional aspects of dying. It is written both for those who are dying and for those who love them and care for them. Chapters cover allowing people to live until they die, the
expression of emotions, participating in decision making, the management of physical pain, emotional pain and spirituality, how to help children when a parent is dying, and the physiology of
the dying process. There are hundreds of illustrative anecdotes throughout the text, which bring it to life and to which the reader can relate. Kessler’s style is clear and easily understood.
If patients or carers ask you, tell them to buy this inexpensive but invaluable book, which is so full of information, comfort and love.
Roger Woodruff
Director of Palliative Care, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
November 2004
Table of Contents
1. A living human being
2. Expressing emotions
3. Participating in decisions
4. The physiology of pain
5. The emotions of pain
6. Spirituality
7. Children
8. The physiology of death
9. Dying in the eye of the storm
10. Not dying alone
11. The body
