Dynamics of Dying

DYNAMICS OF DYING is a set of 2 DVDs filmed from a workshop given to health care professionals and volunteers.

The first lecture addresses the normal process of dying including the signs of approaching death that begin months before death from disease or old age. The second offers knowledge and tools for working with end of life issues with patients and families. It also gives ideas for providing support and guidance during the hours to minutes before and immediately following the death.

Intended audience: hospice and palliative care professionals (RN, LPN, SW, CNA, chaplains), hospice volunteers, nursing home personnel, parish nurses, clergy and lay ministers.

Intended use: orientation for hospice and palliative care employees; hospice volunteer training; nursing home and hospital in-service; community-education presentations.

“We receive few accurate role models on how to die. Most of us fear that which we do not understand or have not yet experienced. There are dynamics to dying from disease. Understanding these dynamics replaces fantasy with knowledge. If a person knows what to expect they are better able to address their challenge. We, as professionals, cannot take the sadness of dying and death away but we can guide, support, and nurture a patient and family. We can help neutralize the fear of this final experience.”

~Barbara Karnes