Dying Well – The Final Stage of Survivorship

Cancer Survival Toolbox® Special Topics

Death is an inevitable part of life. However, few of us know just what to do or say or how to find the support we need when we are nearing the end of our lives and saying our final goodbyes.

Dying Well—The Final Stage of Survivorship is an informative, supportive, and reassuring audio program. It is designed to teach you more about your choices and resources, as well as what to expect during this last stage of survival. After listening to the “Dying Well” Toolbox program, you and your loved ones will be better prepared to:

• Communicate with the members of your cancer care team, as well as family, friends, employers, and coworkers
• Manage hopes and expectations
• Deal with any anxiety or depression that may arise
• Make decisions about symptom management (including controlling pain) and continuing or stopping treatment
• Recognize what is happening during the dying process
• Make informed decisions about hospice/palliative care
• Manage grief

Additional Resources

Aging with Dignity and Five Wishes®

www.agingwithdignity.org  |  (888) 594-7437 (888-5-WISHES)
Affirms and safeguards the human dignity of individuals as they age and promotes better care for those near the end of life. Five Wishes helps you express how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself. It deals with all of a person’s needs: medical, personal, emotional, and spiritual.

CancerCare

www.CancerCare.org  |  (800) 813-4673
A national organization that provides free professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: including people with cancer, caregivers, loved ones and the bereaved. Programs—including counseling and support groups, education, financial assistance, and practical help—are provided by professional oncology social workers free of charge. Counseling and some materials are available in Spanish.

The Conversation Project

http://theconversationproject.org
The Conversation Project is an organization dedicated to helping people have difficult conversations with their loved ones about end-of-life decisions. They offer a free ‘Conversation Starter Kit’ to aid in preparation for having such a conversation.

The Dougy Center (National Center for Grieving Children & Families)

www.dougy.org  |  (866) 775-5683
The Dougy Center provides support and training to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children in grief.

Good Grief

www.good-grief.org  |  (908) 522-1999
Good Grief provides direct services for children and adults coping with loss due to death.

Hospice Foundation of America

https://hospicefoundation.org/  |  (800) 854-3402
The Hospice Foundation of America can assist you in locating a hospice facility near you. Their website also provides a number of online resources related to palliative and end-of-life issues.

Find more helpful resources in the searchable NCCS Resource Guide »