Are you involved in caring for people at the end of their life? Do you have a role in supporting the families of those who are dying, or is this an area of your work you find personally difficult?This book is an accessible guide for all those working in health or social care and caring for people at the end of their lives. This will include people in roles such as healthcare assistant, hospice worker, volunteer, nurse or other carers.Written by experts with extensive experience in delivering high quality end of life care, this book is full of real life examples, reflection exercises and case studies. It also includes insights into what can help make a good death, and how to help support families at the end of life.The easy to read chapters emphasise treating people who are dying with dignity using a person centred approach.The book supports the delivery of quality care by recognising physical and non-physical symptoms, and thinking about various emotional and physical needs people might have. It is also important that care givers look after themselves and advice is given on how best to do this.An essential purchase for anyone looking for guidance or support in this area, and suitable for those working in the community, care homes, hospices, hospitals or other settings where people are cared for.

With a Foreword from Dr. Ros Taylor, MBE, National Director for Hospice Care, Hospice UK.Deborah Preshaw, doctoral nursing student, Queens University Belfast, UK"This is a beautifully presented learning tool to support the delivery of end of life care. I particularly like the 'signposts' which reinforce the intention of the book to enable 'carers' to apply what they read to their role in practice." Liz Bryan, Director of Education and Training, St Christopher's Hospice, UK "This is a welcome book to the field of end of life care. This practical guide is accessible and is an excellent bridge between the 'Lay Person' and those health care professionals caring for the individual as they approach the end of life.The authors present their subject areas in a most readable and engaging style. While reviewing the case studies (which are weaved throughout the whole book), you feel they have come from experienced carers who have had 'lived experiences' of end of life care. This therefore, makes the chapters much more relatable and applicable to practice and real world life.This is also a personable book and I would recommend it to health care professionals and lay persons alike- who need to address or who may require further insight into the realms of:

Physical/psycho-social symptoms, communication challenges and differential perspectives on dying and death.

Finally, I will also be directing students of healthcare towards this impressive, insightful book."
Robert Murphy, Senior Lecturer - Adult Nursing, London South Bank University, UK"The material covered is very helpful and the range of authors has been well selected from individuals who are active in clinical practice. The book is practical and clear, and Clair deserves high praise for the contribution it will make to clinicians seeking to improve their palliative care knowledge and skills."
Professor Max Watson, Medical Director Northern Ireland Hospice, Visiting Professor University of Ulster, UK