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The Best Way to Say Goodbye: A Legal Peaceful Choice At the End of Life
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Binding: Hardcover
EAN: 9781933418025
Edition: 1st
ISBN: 1933418028
Label: Life Transitions Publications
Manufacturer: Life Transitions Publications
Number Of Pages: 489
Publication Date: January 12, 2008
Publisher: Life Transitions Publications
Studio: Life Transitions Publications
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Editorial Review:
What are our two greatest end-of-life fears? To endure unnecessary prolonged pain and suffering, and merely to exist in a state of total indignity and dependency such as in Alzheimer's dementia. Uninformed, some people add layers of tragedy to their destiny. Some choose to die prematurely; others, violently; a few risk imprisonment by mercy killing. Often their lament is, If only Physician-Assisted Suicide were legal. Yet there is an alternative that is already legal: Voluntary Refusal of Food & Fluid. While sometimes intentionally maligned as barbaric starvation, ceasing all Food & Fluid is a truly peaceful way to hasten dying by dehydration. While taking an average of 14 days, it allows for the exchange of healing goodbyes with loved ones who can forever be sure it was these patients' intent since they could have changed their mind.
What makes the process peaceful? Knowing how to control thirst. (The author went on two fasts himself to learn what works.) In addition, good discussions with family members before beginning. Consistent with the principles of some religions, this method is available even for patients who are physically too sick to put a lethal dose of medication in their mouths and swallow.
By creating strategically effective documents for a trusted agent or proxy to withhold Food & Fluid on the patient's behalf, this way to Permit Natural Dying can actually extend the quality of life of those with early dementia. They can enjoy living until they reach a point they have previously described in behavioral terms (perhaps with help from using one of the book's forms).
Beyond serving as an authoritative source of information to strive for an ironclad strategy for dementia, the book endorses life's most ironic fact: When people know they can control when they die--they can, and often do--choose to live longer.
Poignant memoirs illustrate its practical guidelines and useful forms; for example, why Proxy Directives are more effective than Living Wills, and how to make Living Wills work better if they are the only available choice.
The book-within-a-book format of this book is as unique as its content is comprehensive. Over 300 citations, an index, a glossary, and further resources... yet its core reading is user-friendly for all. The subject matter is lightened by 22 cartoons and humorous stories; deepened by provocative discussions of the secular meaning of Sanctity of Life ; and broadened by considering the emotional, practical, clinical, legal, moral, ethical, religious, spiritual, and political aspects of a subject that will affect absolutely everyone.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - very helpful and comprehensive discussion of end of life issues
excellent, comprehensive discussion. this book clearly identifies end of life issues and provides useful counsel to achieve a given individuals goals. highly recommend.
Rating: - most informative
Dying is not a problem: it is the process of dying that can be terrible> Dr. Stanley A. Terman's "The Best Way To Say Goodbye" is as good as anythig I read in being able to make better choices for the transition.
Rating: - Everything you need to know
The content of this reference provides everything you need to know about voluntary refusal of food and fluid. I encourage readers to purchase a copy for themselves as well as family and friends because it is the most comprehensive of its kind! Dr. Terman's approach is solidified in knowledge of the subject matter and personal experience. I commend him on his ability to address such a sensitive and important topic in ways that help his audience feel at ease and at times entertained as they explore ... Read More
Rating:  - Not the best way to say goodbye
The Best Way to Say Goodbye: a Legal Peaceful Choice at the End of Life has some excellent information. However, the book is so redundant that its information is not useful. As a counselor and a professional geriatric care manager, it is not a book I would recommend.
Basically the book is an extensive exhortation to use starving and dehydrating as a way of ending your life. The author, a psychiatrist, actually tried the method himself for 4 days. Oddly, he was not bothered by hunger pangs ... Read More
Rating: - A book for me, my loved ones, and must reading for professionals!
This is an important and useful book, but it is not "The Best Way to Say Goodbye for Dummies." That doesn't mean it is not entertaining, which is surprising, given the subject matter. Yet for me, the best parts of the book were the excellent memoirs that made me feel spurred on to action. They motivated me to learn how to avoid using a distasteful plastic bag, for example, if someone like a suffering grandparent asked me how to hasten his or her dying. Clearly there is a more aesthetic and peaceful way ... Read More
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