book cover

I'm With You Now

A guide through incurable illness for patients, families, and friends

By M. Catherine Ray

Published by Bantam Books
Publication date: July, 1997
256 pp.
ISBN: 0553378015 (paperback)

Synopsis

When a friend or loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness, we are often at a loss. We're not sure how to provide practical help, express support, talk about the issues, or discuss fears, wishes, regrets, legacies, and relationships. Since 1985, M. Catherine Ray has trained hospice workers in communication skills through her seminars and reached thousands of professionals with her caring guidebook I'm Here To Help. Now she brings those skills and techniques to family and friends in this practical, clearly-written handbook.

Chapters explore these issues:

Listening on the deepest level and what to do if there's a time when you can't
Managing family conflict, including ground rules to help resolve family problems
Finding outside support to help avoid stress and burnout
Communicating with the medical team and how to make informed, independent decisions under pressure
Offering help in a meaningful way, from appropriate gifts for the patient to respite for the caregiver

Includes a directory of helpful resource organizations and books for further reading.

The "reader-friendly" format and plain language make it a good text for use in patient education programs and hospice volunteer training.

This content is provided by Growth House, Inc., the Internet's leading resource for end-of-life care. Visit our main web site at www.growthhouse.org.