The Needs of the Dying: A Guide For Bringing Hope, Comfort, and Love to Life's Final Chapter (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Every day, in thousands of hospital rooms across the country, family members gather sadly beside the beds of loved ones who are dying of cancer,..." (more)
Key Phrases: Aunt Betsy, Advanced Directives, Los Angeles (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A Remarkably compassionate,uplifting book. We encourage all patients and their family and friends to read his words and thoughts." -- Ted Mann Cancer Center at UCLA

"David Kessler’s work has made a significant contribution in helping us understand the needs of the dying." -- American Cancer Society

Product Description

In gentle, compassionate language, The Needs of the Dying helps us through the last chapter of our lives. The need to be treated as a living human being, the need for hope, the need to express emotions, the need to participate in care, the need for honesty, the need for spirituality, and the need to be free of physical pain. Examining the physical and emotional experiences of life-challenging illnesses, Kessler provides a vocabulary for communication with doctors, with hospital staff, and with each other, and-at a time when the right words are exceedingly difficult to find-he helps readers find a way to say what is important.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060958219
• ISBN-13: 978-0060958213
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #470,944 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT BOOK IF A LOVED ONE IS DYING, May 12, 2002

By	Bargin Hunter "lexusdcs" (WEST CHESTER, PA United States) - See all my reviews

I bought this book because my mother is dying and I needed to know more. Kessler has a wonderful way of delivering this knowledge. He is thorough in imparting this knowledge and does so with total compassion for the dying and the living. I underscored many passages in this work and especially appreciated someone telling me (chapter 8) what can I expect in the way of physical signs as mom goes through the dying process. This book is very user friendly having a very readable quality. I strongly recommend it!

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Give to friends dealing with family final illnesses, October 26, 2000

By	ANN (LOS ANGELES, CA United States) - See all my reviews

As a baby boomer, I have more and more friends dealing with their own illnesses or with the terminal illnesses of their friends and parents. I have ordered a stock of Mr. Kessler's book to give to them. It offers helpful advice on how to communicate in a compassionate and loving way--whether you are suffering from your own illness and trying to find a way to talk about it or trying to talk to dying friends or family. It is extraordinarily difficult to know how to approach the subject of dying--this book is a godsend.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was a wonderful gift, November 20, 2002

By	Marianne DiBlasi (Winchester, MA United States) - See all my reviews

I bought this book when my Dad was entering into the final few months of his life and I wanted to go through this final chapter of his life with him in a meaningful way. David Kessler provides information on the needs of the dying in a kind, compassionate and truthful way. I find knowledge to be comforting and grounding. If you do also, this book will be a special gift to yourself.