Editorial Review:
In gentle, compassionate language, The Needs of the Dying helps us through the last chapter of our lives. Author David Kessler has identified key areas of concern: the need to be treated as a living human being, the need for hope, the need to express emotions, the need to participate in care, the need for honesty, the need for spirituality, and the need to be free of physical pain. Examining the physical and emotional experiences of life-challenging illnesses, Kessler provides a vocabulary for family members and for the dying that allows them to communicate with doctors, with hospital staff, and with one another, and—at a time when the right words are exceedingly difficult to find—he helps readers find a way to say good-bye. Using comforting and touching stories, he provides information to help us meet the needs of a loved one at this important time in our lives.
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Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating: 
The Needs of the Dying, David Kessler  2008-08-30
David Kessler's book, The Needs of the Dying, is written with honesty, compassion and humble insight. It is easy to read, understand and apply to your own life experiences. It allows us to see our own journey as a joyful appreciation of life. We learn that our human needs are woven together in life and in our journey to the other side.
A New Level of Understanding 2008-01-01
I have begun to work in a hospital and I am trying to enter nursing school. Under these circumstances, I will encounter death constantly. Aside from professional reasons, I feel that I would like to come to terms with death more since my father has passed. At the moment, a close friend has cancer. I would like to be effective in my interactions with her, or at the very least, not say the wrong things. Kessler's book has made death less mysterious to me. I have read it over once quickly, but I plan to look this over and over to digest the contents. I am sure that I will be reading more of Kessler's writings.
Great help  2007-09-30
This book did a great job of telling you what to expect when someone is dying, especially good at outlining what physical symptoms to look for. It is good to pair this book with "Final Gifts".
Most will probably find this book useful but it left me annoyed.  2007-08-12
First I want to say that there are a number of good points and areas of this book that will provide comfort to many. BUT for those who are well read on the subject of death and dying this book leaves a bit to be desired. I think I could have been more invested in this book if the author had written it from something other than the "I" perspective..,to use a previous reviewers term. Additionally, it could have been much more inclusive of people who either don't believe in any god or believe in a different spiritual or emotional guide in their lives. Some of the analogies are a bit cheesy and I found myself doing a bit of eye rolling and saying "give me a break". The issue of dying is emotional enough without needing to add empty sentiment such as ...the loss of a grain of sand impacts the world. A bit much for my taste. For a more inclusive and less self-absorbed perspective I would recommend Final Gifts over this book.
The Needs of the Dying, and the living, too 2007-04-16
This book thankfully arrived the week before my Mother died of fast moving Adult Leukemia (AML). She made the decision to enter hospice and was gone within a week.
This book was a true godsend to me as the caregiver, for navigating the emotional minefield that accompanies home hospice care. Focusing on the emotional needs of the dying, it helps the living understand what is happening. It helps the caregiver meet the emotional needs of both the person being cared for and themselves.
If you only read one book when a loved one makes the decision to do hospice, then read this one. Other books focus on the nuts and bolts of 'doing' i.e. how to get the best care, how to handle the paperwork, etc. This book focuses on 'feeling', on handling the emotions of those facing death and dying. You'll need it. Order it first as it will really, really help.
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