Families Facing Death: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals and Volunteers

By Elliott J. Rosen

A down-to-earth and highly practical guide, this is the first book to explain and illustrate the relationship between family systems, illness, and loss. This updated paperback edition includes theoretical information along with specific suggestions for developing the important skills needed to manage psychosocial symptoms in the patient and family, both during illness and after death. The author explains how to understand the dynamics of the family as an interactive, intradepAndent system. He also explains how to help families define and facilitate the tasks they must take to adjust to illness and loss.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 078794050X
• ISBN13: 9780787940508
• Release Date: March 1998
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Families' stories are touchingly and sensitively presented

This book took me by surprise. I thought it would be a textbook--and it was. But it was even more--the author's ability to bring you into the lives of families is uncanny. Not only are their struggles with terminal illness poignant and inspirational, but he also gives the reader some solid directions for how to be of help. I confess that I was looking for a book to help me through my own personal situation, but I found much more and I am grateful. The last chapter, in which he presents the dilemmas of modern medical technology, is worth the whole book.

The best book available on this subject

As a person who has worked with cancer patients for years I think this book is the very best guide availble for understanding what goes on in families who are trying to survive the difficulties in caring for a loved one who is dying. Everyone who works with these families--and the families themselves can benefit from the wisdom here. I have heard the author speak and he is as good in person as in print.