Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Fersko-Weiss, founder of the first End-of-Life Doula program in the U.S., defines the core features of this powerful framework for supporting the dying and their families, modeled on the compassionate care services that birth doulas provide. Moreover, he offers guidance for anyone hoping to engage the approaching death of a loved one with grace and intention. With Buddhist calm and a sense of thoughtful presence, Fersko-Weiss shares the core tools doulas use to help the dying approach "ego integrity" by reflecting, exploring meaning, and addressing unresolved conflict, while also helping them choose the surroundings that make them feel comforted and appreciated. Approaches such as creating a legacy project and planning the vigil can help family members process fear and allow closeness to continue until the end. Although not structured as a guidebook, enough detail is included that families without access to a doula could successfully use many of the ideas on their own. Warm stories of client experiences give permission to imagine a death experienced with as much humanity as the rest of life, with profound results for everyone affected by the event. Fersko-Weiss's perspective is a desperately needed reminder of the value of facing life's most difficult transitions with open eyes and hearts. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Doulas have assisted women in childbirth for decades; now the model is being applied to the dying and their families. -Fersko-Weiss, a licensed clinical social worker and cofounder and executive director of the International End of Life Doula Association, explains how doulas can alleviate suffering and deepen meaning during a person's final weeks of life. He describes the tools and techniques they use-deep listening, life review, legacy projects, planning for death, guided imagery, ritual, the death vigil, and reprocessing with the family after death-to ensure that the dying and their families can work through lingering issues and find peace and meaning. Experiences from the author's many years as an end-of-life doula illustrate the concepts presented and provide examples that readers can apply and adapt to their own situations. This book appears to be the first and only title available on end-of-life doulas. -VERDICT Written for families and caregivers, this book provides a clear overview of end-of-life doulas and a compelling case for their wider use in terminal care. It also supplies some wonderful ideas and techniques for all readers who want to have a more peaceful, meaningful death for themselves or their loved ones.- Janet Crum, Northern Arizona Univ. Lib., Flagstaff © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
