Synopsis:

Today, the average life expectancy is eighty years. Medicine and modern technology possess the power to prolong life, sometimes even making the process of dying seem more terrifying than death itself. Consequently, we face new challenges: who has the right to decide how we die and when we die are now critical questions. Therefore, before we or our loved ones fall ill, and before grief, fear, and denial overwhelm us, we should start practicing how to face death right now.

When confronting this inevitable moment in life, we can initiate conversations with our loved ones about what truly matters to us at the end of life. This gives us the opportunity to prepare for our own death and fulfill any remaining wishes, such as properly saying goodbye and saying "I love you."

This book is not a prescription, nor is it a bucket list of things to do before we die, and it certainly does not dictate what actions or decisions we must make. Instead, engaging in such deep reflection allows us to embrace life more fully, reducing fear and anxiety. Death is not merely a medical procedure; this final journey of life also requires the embracing of emotion and meaning.

The author invites you to reclaim ownership of your life, and the following questions will help you begin this process:

◇ Advocating for advanced care policies for yourself and your loved ones

◇ How to discuss end-of-life wishes with family members

◇ How to talk about death with children

◇ How to build a compassionate workplace

◇ Practical strategies for supporting and encouraging colleagues

◇ How to communicate effectively with caregivers

◇ How to navigate changes in the household after a loved one passes away

◇ The specific details of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)

These conversations are not terrifying at all; rather, they are profoundly meaningful—offering the profound relief that comes from understanding what you and your loved ones truly want. By making farewell a gift, the confidence and approaches learned here will help you adapt to and grow through this inevitable journey of life.

Book Features:

★ Renowned hospice palliative educator and researcher Kathy Kortes-Miller shows readers how to acknowledge and transform limited, preconceived notions about death with humor and compassion.

★ Directly confronts the topic of death, which is still considered taboo by many, and explores how to discuss it openly and honestly.

★ Teaches readers how to have meaningful conversations about death and dying to ensure quality of life during its final chapters.

About the Author

Dr. Kathy Kortes-Miller

An unconventional death educator, Dr. Kortes-Miller is deeply passionate about promoting palliative care and end-of-life care. She has taught and conducted research at Lakehead University for many years, educating future caregivers on how to assist the dying and their loved ones in various contexts. Drawing heavily on her own experiences as both a cancer survivor and a palliative caregiver, Kathy teaches us how to engage in vital conversations regarding dying, death, and life. Her debut book, Talking About Death Won't Kill You: The Essential Guide to End-of-Life Conversations, aims to help readers stop viewing dying and death as an untouchable taboo, but rather as an inseparable part of life that demands understanding, respect, and (when appropriate) even a lighter approach.

About the Translator

Jo-Wen Tien

Ph.D. candidate in Mass Communications at the University of Washington. With a broad range of interests, she has worked as a teacher, research director, and brand consultant. Her translated works include Disruption, The Thinking Machine: The Development and Trends of A.I., and The Age of Ageless: The Complete Strategy of Global Advanced Anti-Aging Technology.