As a recognized advocate of pain-relieving care and compassionate human concern for those who are reaching the end of life, Dr. Robert W. Buckingham offers this poignant, yet informative sourcebook on the basic components of hospice care.

The Handbook of Hospice Care is a detailed look at the history of hospice, its philosophy of care, and the contemporary issues it faces. The role of each member of the hospice team is carefully explained in the hope that palliative care, based upon the needs and preferences of each patient and family, can be provided. Dr. Buckingham describes a cooperative and compassionate approach that brings meaning, dignity, and autonomy to the dying process.

"Historically, dying has been a coming-apart experience for most families, " Dr. Buckingham says. "Hospice care concentrates on making the process of dying a coming-together experience for patient and family. Hospice is not a place or an institution but a philosophy of care."