Dying

More about the book

This book presents a process-based, patient-centered approach to palliative care that emphasizes an indication-oriented treatment and a profound reconsideration of the transition to death. Drawing from extensive experience with terminally ill cancer patients and research on near-death experiences, Monika Renz urges practitioners to protect patients' dignity while attuning to their verbal, nonverbal, and metaphorical cues. This attentiveness personalizes treatment and fosters a more peaceful death. Renz categorizes the dying process into three stages: pre-transition, transition, and post-transition. As individuals approach death, egoism diminishes, leading to a heightened state of consciousness, sensitivity, and spiritual connectedness. Patients exhibit nonverbal signals that reflect their gradual withdrawal from everyday awareness, which often amplifies emotional and spiritual issues. Relatives and caregivers frequently experience a profound sense of awe as fear transforms into trust and acceptance replaces denial. Initially pressing family conflicts and the need for reconciliation may arise, but these concerns tend to diminish over time. By outlining these stages, Renz enhances practitioners' awareness of the evolving emotions and symptoms of their patients, empowering them to respond with deep respect for the dignity of those in their care.