Australians don’t like to talk about death and dying – it’s one of the last taboos. But it happens to all of us and we need to talk about it.
‘Dying to talk; talking about dying won’t kill you’ is the theme of National Palliative Care Week which starts today.
We’re very privileged to be able to share an article with you by Marguerite Manteau-Rao, the CEO and Co-Founder of the U-S based dementia care group Presence Care Project. A licensed Clinical Social Worker, Marguerite writes about the ways we can mindfully touch the dying.
You can touch your dying loved one with gentle words. You can also touch him or her with your hands, and that may be even more important, as touch is one of the last remaining ways that we can effectively be present for a dying person. This is about mindful touch, healing touch, a way of touching the sick or the dying that will make them feel connected, cared for, met, loved, not alone. It is an ability we all have. It is also something we are not always comfortable with. When to touch, where to touch, how to touch, how much? So many questions we may have as we sit by the bedside of our loved one . . .
One of the most powerful training I received as a Zen Hospice volunteer was from Irene Smith, a pioneer in the field of mindful touch for the dying. From Irene’s training, I have taken away these 10 principles:
And remember, mindfully touching your dying loved one, may be one of the greatest gifts you can give him or her, and yourself as well.
May you be at peace, and at ease. And may your loved feel the same as well . . .