When People Want to Talk About Dying

Recorded January 1, 2017 - This is a 45-minute presentation

When People Want to Talk About Dying

We often talk about how ever-shortening lengths of stay make it difficult to provide the best of what hospice offers. Enter the volunteer! Especially when time is short, we should ensure volunteers are prepared to respond when patients or families want to have those difficult conversations. Am I dying? Why is this happening to me? I am afraid to die.

It’s not really about having the correct answer, but more about ensuring that when a conversation door opens that it is not slammed shut due to lack of skill or preparation. This webinar will provide background information, skills, and suggested interventions so volunteers feel better prepared when people want to talk about dying.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ensuring that we are prepared to walk through conversation doors when people open them
• Why talking directly about dying can be difficult for the patient, family, and volunteer
• Being helpful to people who cannot speak
• Ways to invite people to talk about potentially frightening topics
• Specific ways of responding when faced with unsettling questions or topics

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This informative session is designed with volunteers in mind.  It will be most useful for volunteer managers, volunteers, and others working alongside volunteers.

PLEASE NOTE: Webinar content is subject to copyright and intended for your individual organization’s use only.