Finish Strong: Putting Your Priorities First at Life's End

Synopsis

From the President Emerita/Senior Adviser of Compassion & Choices, THE guide to achieving the positive end-of-life experience you want and deserve.It’s hard to talk about death in America. But even though the topic has been taboo, life’s end is an eventual reality. So why not shape it to our values? FINISH STRONG is for those of us who want an end-of-life experience to match the life we’ve enjoyed. We know we should prepare, but are unsure how to think and talk about it, how to live true to our values and priorities, and how to make our wishes stick.The usual advice about advance directives and conversations is important but woefully inadequate. This book describes concrete action in the here and now to help live our best lives to the end. FINISH STRONG will guide you through:

• Finding a partner-doctor to honor your values and beliefs with humanity, deference and candor.

• Identifying what matters most as vigor wanes and stating your priorities.

• Having meaningful conversations with doctors and family about expectations and wishes.

• Staying off the “overtreatment conveyor belt.”• Knowing when “slow medicine” is the best option to maintain quality of life.

• Navigating home hospice, the ultimate healing experience. Written with candor and clarity by a nurse, physician assistant and attorney who became a leading advocate for end-of-life options, this book can help you FINISH STRONG.

CHAPTERS:

An Invitation

Talking About Death Won't Kill You (But It Could Improve Your Life)

Overtreatment and Diminishing Returns

Let Me Die Like a DoctorHope & Heroism

Hospice: The Healing Option

The Secret of Slow Medicine

Escaping Dementia

Inside a Growing Advocacy

People Taking Control

Space for the Sacred

It's Harder Than You Think (But You Can Do It)

Appendix: Tools to Take Charge