Achieving a Good Death - by Chris Palmer (Paperback)

About the Book

Death is inevitable; dying badly is not. A good death is achievable, and this book explains how.

Book Synopsis

This practical guide to achieving a good death will reduce the fear that often cloaks discussions about death and dying and give us the knowledge and skills to achieve a peaceful and gentle death.

With the multiple options available at the end of life, we can design and direct our end-of-life journey, ensuring it is as fulfilling and meaningful as possible right up to the end and achieving the elusive good death when the time comes. Chapters focus on essential elements of living well and preparing for a good death, including:

- Death cleaning so we don't burden our loved ones with a big mess.
- Talking with loved ones and doctors about our end-of-life wishes and aspirations so they know what matters to us and how we want to be treated.
- Writing a legacy letter (an ethical will) and a memoir to let loved ones know what is deep in our hearts.
- Understanding caregivers, an under-appreciated group of people, usually unpaid women, who number in the millions.

This thoughtful and gentle guide, exploring one of the most difficult human topics, equips us with the information we need to overcome the anxiety and confusion that so often overwhelm end-of-life planning, enabling us to intentionally plan for "a good death" that will provide comfort for all during one's final act.

Review Quotes

A stimulating must-read for mortals that will leave you equipped for a more peaceful, dignified, and meaningful end.
MedHum

As a physician for many years, I wish I had Chris Palmer's book Achieving a Good Death as a resource for my patients and families. He tackles head-on the practical issues we all face but shy away from dealing with them. Each of us deserves a dignified and meaningful end of life, and this book is a sure-fire guide to achieving that noble goal.

Palmer, an astute and sensitive researcher, has culled, sorted, and presented the best from many evidence-based sources. He gives voice to unspoken fears like degradation, pity, and shame and adds valuable and original suggestions for ethical wills, legacy letters, memoirs, and eulogies from his expertise as a writer and storyteller. Bravo for this eminently helpful and deeply meaningful book.

About the Author

Chris Palmer is an end-of-life activist and a trained hospice volunteer. He founded and leads an aging, death, and dying group for the Bethesda Metro Area Village and serves on the board of several nonprofits focused on end-of-life issues. He has written ten books and frequently gives presentations and workshops to community groups on aging, death, and dying. Proceeds from all his books fund scholarships for American University (AU) students.