Something to Think About

a blog on end of life

We love sharing helpful info on our blog.

About the BK Team
Deathbed Promises by Barbara Karnes, RN www.bkbooks.com

We need to look at the promises made, evaluate them as to: can it be done, should it be done, and am I willing to do it? 

Do Not Resuscitate & Hospice by Barbara Karnes, RN www.bkbooks.com

I believe that everyone has the right to decide how they will live and how they will die. There are people that no matter the disease will want to have...

Hospice Middle Management & Oreo Cookies by Barbara Karnes, RN www.bkbooks.com

Many years ago I attended a workshop at The Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas. The topic was about when a clinician enters the administration work field. I don’t remember much...

Taking Charge With AnAdvanced Directive by Barbara Karnes RN www.bkbooks.com

We must talk about end of life issues NOW while we are healthy, and our thoughts are not clouded with fear. Right now when emotions don’t affect our thinking. When we can...

Whimpers and Tears of the Actively Dying by Barbara Karnes RN

What happens at the moment of death or in the hours before death, is generally just normal body actions. A tear is natural -- the eyes are partially open and...

If I Can't Speak For Myself... Wishes for End of Life

Have a conversation with those people that are closest to you about your ideas of “the perfect death”. “If I can’t speak for myself, here is what I want you...

NHPCO Hospice Innovator, Barbara Karnes, RN speaks to those who are living with cancer that can't be fixed. The dying may not want to talk about death. www.bkbooks.com

We often think because a person is facing the end of their life we have to do whatever they want us to, regardless of how it affects us. We treat...

For Those With Heavy Feelings of Loss

How to let go and stop feeling guilty? At first you probably aren't even aware of your feelings. When someone close to us dies, even if we are told it...

Barbara Karnes, RN speaks to the question, "Do people really die of a broken heart?"

I know “dying of a broken heart” is used frequently when death comes as a result of a tragic life event. I’m not sure that is actually why the person...

American Hospice Pioneer, Barbara Karnes, RN writes ideas for best practices for new hospice nurses as they care for the dying. www.bkbooks.com

If you teach your families well about the approaching end of life there will be no problems with them understanding the labor of dying. Having someone you care about dying is...

Uncomfortable Using the Word Hospice

Timing of the “hospice” talk is important as well as having an end of life talk before having the hospice talk. 

What Does the Future Hold for Mom With ALS?

Is life worth living with all this assistance? For some it will be, for others is won’t...

My Unresolved Grief

Unresolved grief is not having figured out how to go on living after the death of a loved one. There are a lot of reasons why this happens. Here are...

NHPCO Hospice Innovator, Barbara Karnes, RN explains Terminal Restlessness.

Terminal restlessness is a medical term for the restlessness and agitation that often begins one to three weeks before death from disease. The restlessness shows itself by random body movements,...

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