Questions & Answers on Death and Dying »

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross earned a place as the best-loved and most-respected authority on the subjects of death and dying. Through her many books, as well as her years working with terminally ill children, AIDS patients, and the elderly, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross brought comfort and understanding to millions coping with their own deaths or the death of a loved one. Dr. Kübler-Ross, whose books have been translated into twenty-seven languages, passed away in 2004 at the age of seventy-eight. Before her death, she and David Kessler completed work on their second collaboration, On Grief and Grieving.

On Death and Dying is one of the most important books ever written on the subject and is still considered the bench-mark in the care of the dying. It became an immediate bestseller, and Life magazine called it "a profound lesson for the living." This companion volume consists of the questions that are most frequently asked of Dr. Kübler-Ross and her compassionate answers. She discusses accepting the end of life, suicide, terminal illness, euthanasia, how to tell a patient he or she is critically ill, and how to deal with all the special difficulties surrounding death. Questions and Answers on Death and Dying is a vital resource for doctors, nurses, members of the clergy, social workers, and lay people dealing with death and dying.

Contents

INTRODUCTION

I. The Dying Patient

Telling the Patient

Difficulties in Communication

Denial As a First Line of Defense

Why Me?

Bargaining — Depression and Grief Usually Follow

The End of Life — Hopefully Acceptance

2. Special Forms of Communication

3. Suicide and Terminal Illness

4. Sudden Death

5. Prolongation of Life

6. Where Do We Best Care for Our Dying Patients

7. The Family's Problems Alter Death Has Occurred

8. Funerals

9. Family and Staff Deal with Their Own Feelings

10. Other Staff Problems

11. Old Age

12. Questions of Humor and Fear, Faith and Hope

13. Personal Questions

INDEX