Abstract

The many unfounded myths and fears that surround working with people at the end of their lives are dispelled in this thoughtful book, and the authors provide both practical and emotional support for those involved in caring for dying patients.

The book covers everything from the philosophy behind the practice to the diverse roles in the multi-disciplinary team, as well as current challenges and opportunities facing end of life care, with an emphasis on how therapy and arts therapies can be integrated effectively. It also looks at palliative care models that address all aspects of a patient's wellbeing and conveys the latest research and challenges in the field, bridging the gap between theory and the realities of working with patients on a daily basis. Using material from artists and therapists working in the field, the varying demands of inpatient, outpatient and home care are described, as well as the processes of bereavement, how to handle the practicalities of loss and the help that therapists can give at this stage. How artists and therapists with experience of working at the end of life can be involved in other areas of care such as supporting older people in care homes and those living with dementia is also discussed. The book also introduces the important area of health promotion, and how there is a growing responsibility to change people's attitudes towards death, dying and bereavement. Clear, practical examples are given as to how this might be achieved.

Full of professional advice and career guidance, this book will be an invaluable tool for those working with patients nearing the end of life and those considering working in this area, as well as students in training.

In this wonderfully honest and realistic book, Nigel Hartley uses the experience of arts therapists working in end of life care to pose crucial questions for therapists, organisations and society in building a patient-led and effective service. He faces head on the particular issues raised by the current political and economic climate, and offers a wealth of practical advice.
Jessica Rose, psychotherapist and author of Psychology for Pastoral Contexts: A Handbook (SCM) and Sharing Spaces?: Prayer and the Counselling Relationship (DLT)
Nigel Hartley's book brushes aside the mystique of music and arts therapy, showing clearly how and why they work. As well as providing a full overview of current practice, he makes positive suggestions for encouraging teamwork and communication, and his highly readable style is shot through with compassion for patients, families and therapists themselves.
Sarah Walker PhD, broadcaster, musician and writer
This important book describes practical ways for therapists, artists and arts therapists to set about delivering an effective professional offering in a wide variety of end of life care settings; ranging from outpatient services, inpatient units, the community and care homes and across all illnesses including dementia. The book is a pragmatic, realistic and forthright guide to the difficulties and rewards of being a rather unusual, sometimes isolated, often poorly understood professional; a sort of mythical tiger burning bright in the sometimes impenetrable forest of the efficient demands of medical and nursing structures…This is a brave book and now, more than ever, all practitioners in the field of end of life care need to initiate courageous conversations if we are to meet ever growing need.
from the foreword by Professor Dame Barbara Monroe, Chief Executive, St Christopher's Group
An important account stemming from the Anniversary Centre at St Christopher's Hospice - open daily for 13 hours for patients, family, friends and the public. An amazing development from the traditional nurse-led 10am-3pm, Monday-Friday Day Centre. A great example of TEAM-work - Together Everyone Achieves More. For anyone who wants to get beyond the bedpan and the drug round, this is essential reading.
Dr Robert Twycross DM FRCP, Director of palliativedrugs.com Ltd.
Nigel Hartley is Director of Supportive Care at St. Christopher's Hospice, London and has worked in end of life care for over twenty years. He is an experienced manager, counsellor, musician, teacher and music therapist. Nigel has chaired both the Association of Professional Music Therapists (UK) and the British Society of Music Therapy and led the organising committee for the 10th World Congress of Music Therapy. He regularly publishes about his work and is co-editor of The Creative Arts in Palliative Care, also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Hartley has produced a poignant, compelling and practical guide for therapists, artists and arts therapists who work, or wish to work, with people at the end of life. This book blends concerns about history and policy, with practical discussions about inter-professional working, self-care, and evaluation in work with dying, death, and bereavement. An essential reference for practitioners.
Allan Kellehear, PhD, AcSS, Professor of Community Health, Middlesex University, UK