Pollard Memorial Library (Lowell)

Final conversations, helping the living and the dying talk to each other, Maureen P. Keeley, Julie M. Yingling

eng

index present

non fiction

Final conversations

74492033

Maureen P. Keeley, Julie M. Yingling

helping the living and the dying talk to each other

"Final conversations can take place any time between a terminal diagnosis and the loved one's death. The communication needs of the survivors who must go on living are the focus in this book. Direct quotations from 'the Living' merge with the authors' advice about what may work for the reader"--Provided by publisher

Real people: setting the stage for the book -- The source of these final conversations -- What are final conversations? -- Americans and death-why is it so difficult? -- Why communicate at the end? -- Why look at the living's perspective on communication at the end of life? -- I love you . . . goodbye -- Loving the dying in close relationships -- Don't leave yet! -- Nothing more to say -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Everyday messages: taking care of business -- I'm not dead yet! -- Maintaining the relationship for now -- Preserving the relationship into the future -- Problems with everyday messages -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Grace happens: spiritual messages -- Witnessing faith --Faith challenged, faith found again -- Experiencing spirit -- Creating community -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Beyond words: the power of nonverbal communication -- See me, hear me, touch me -- The meaning of space and time -- The importance of "stuff" -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Heartache released: healing damaged relationships -- Cleaning up the mess -- Letting go: forgiving, accepting, and acknowledging -- Receiving the surprise apology -- Closing a door, opening a window -- Don't make it worse -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Growing up: maturing through final conversations -- Children's final conversations with the dying: being real -- Teens' final conversations : a crash course in adulthood -- New adults' final conversations: challenges in changing times -- Mature adults final conversations : role changes and getting real (again) -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- Going on: new directions for the living -- A new attitude: lessons learned -- New plans, new paths -- Benefits / Summary / Advice -- You can too: communication skills for final conversations -- Why engage in final conversations? -- How to get ready for final conversations -- How to communicate skillfully-- When to ask for help -- Epilogue -- Appendix