Expand+How do you talk to someone who is dying? How do we know when someone is anticipating their death and needing to talk with someone? What informs our practice and ensures best practice? Many would argue that the grief process starts before death. I...

Hide-How do you talk to someone who is dying? How do we know when someone is anticipating their death and needing to talk with someone? What informs our practice and ensures best practice? Many would argue that the grief process starts before death. If this is true then what are the implications for the individual, their family or friends and professionals of considering grief through the course of an illness? This workshop will reflect on and analyze how we can help people facing death to carefully explore their emotional wellbeing. It will examine whether preparation for and warning of a death can play a positive role in later grieving. We will look at the demanding, often challenging and conflicting issues that arise for people who are ill and what we might do or say to support them. The needs of adults and children will be covered. The format will include presentation, a review of related literature, group discussions and it will be experiential and interactive throughout. It is advisable that those experiencing a recent loss or close bereavement should not attend this workshop.

Expand+On completion of the workshop participants will be able to:

• understand the complexities of talking to someone who is dying;
• be aware of current theory and literature around this area;
• reflect on their own experience and clients’ experience...

Hide-On completion of the workshop participants will be able to:

• understand the complexities of talking to someone who is dying;
• be aware of current theory and literature around this area;
• reflect on their own experience and clients’ experience of facing death;
• confidently begin to communicate with a person who is facing death in a safe and respectful manner;
• identify and begin to develop the use of different creative tools that might assist them in their own learning and in their direct work with clients;
• be informed of current HSE practice and Hospice Friendly Hospitals recommendations.