LISTENING TO LIFE

You’re not alone. Confusion and mystery often surround the physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual changes that occur during life’s winter season. For many people—such as those who are aging, their families, and caregivers—that season is often more medicalized, confusing, and lacking in common sense.

Based on her clinical experience and lessons learned from patients and their families, including her own, Tammy shares real-life stories and ideas for listening to life in ways that help with medical decisions.

Are you an exhausted caregiver caring for someone who is aging or has dementia, trying to make the best medical decisions and do the right thing?

Listening to Life: Caregiver Guidance on Aging, De ....
Newman Bhang, Tammy

Listening to Life offers essential insight into how a loved one’s lived values can guide medical choices in the end—choices that make sense, are honoring and help prevent regret.

This book gives clear descriptions of the decisions needed as family members age.

KD

We are having so many conversations because of this book! Yesterday, a friend told me that her husband was just diagnosed with early-onset dementia, and she wants to have a talk with him now before it’s too late (About his values and care preferences if he loses the ability to speak for himself)

ST

This book will also be helpful for clinicians and medical teams as they guide families and caregivers in making medical choices for their loved ones who are aging or who have cognitive impairment.

I appreciate that it is written in story form, easy to read and digest.

Several local physicians

EACH CHAPTER FEATURES STORIES THAT:

• Show how a person’s values in life are key to making good medical choices in the final season.

• Determine if a person is capable of making their own medical decisions.

• Explain what alternate decision-makers need to consider.

• Reveal why do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders are insufficient.

• Outline three key warning signs in the months, weeks or days before dying.

• Describe what to expect with natural dying.

• Explain what is meant by the term “comfort measures”.

• Suggest ways to reflect on and honor life in the final weeks and days.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tammy Newman Bhang has over 25 years of healthcare experience, including 13 years as a palliative care consultant at a large acute care hospital. Tammy and a physician colleague also developed and delivered workshops and virtual training on complex care conversations for multi-specialty and interdisciplinary healthcare teams across more than 30 states. Concepts in this book were part of those training sessions. Tammy holds a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. She is now retired and lives with her husband, Preston, in the Pacific Northwest.

You can contact Tammy at:
tnbhang@gmail.com