Doorways into Dying: Innovative Teachings for End of Life

In Doorways into Dying: Innovative Teaching for End of Life, Ingrid Rose and Kay Ryan present techniques and tools for communicating with those in out-of-ordinary states of consciousness such as those found in dementia, coma or the dying experience. Methods are presented that are useful to medical staff, caregivers, relatives and friends in making links between the outside world and the inner worlds of those who are ostensibly unable to communicate. The slight movement of a finger, the flicker of an eyelid, and other signals, are the building blocks of communication, useful in gaining understanding of the needs of the patient. This book describes how we can approach those who are ill, near death, or dying, in a way that values all experience as holding potential meaning for the person. How to connect with others in order to support them on their journeys is laid out here through the introduction of theoretical concepts, case studies and examples, as well as exercises for reader to practise.