Journeying to the End of Life
Discovering the Ancient Hospice Way of Companioning the Dying
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According to the Last Acts’ study Means to a Better End. A Report on Dying in America Today, 75% of Americans express a wish to die at home, while only 25% actually realize that wish[i].
…Baby boomers and others may experience the true fullness and richness of what I would like to call a “Beautiful Death” through
…In reflecting on a “Beautiful Death” in
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About the Book
How do you want the natural journey of life on earth to end for you and your loved ones? Do you want a “Beautiful Death”, where life draws to close with dignity and a sense of blessedness? Do you want pain managed to the full extent medical science makes possible? Do you want life to end in a place that is safe and comfortable, surrounded by those held dear in the heart? Is it important to remain a vital person, connected to family and friends, and involved in their lives until the end? Journeying to the End of Life explores how a Beautiful Death can take place for 78 million Baby Boomers. It shares for the first time, the spiritual wisdom of companioning the dying that has been a part of the Western hospice tradition for over 1,500 years. Drawing on this ancient wisdom, a bold new vision is presented of how we may companion millions of Americans in body, heart, and soul at the end of life. It challenges our nation to a more compassionate way of caring for those in their final days, and speaks prophetically of the social changes required of our country to allow death at home to become the natural way life ends. Journeying calls for a new end of life Medicare benefit, so that it becomes financially practical for millions to die at home, companioned by loved ones. It also speaks of how modern technology can be applied to end of life care, enabling the dying to be safe and connected to others. It further shares the need for faith communities in America to become partners in companioning.
About the Author
Ken Patrick, Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry, and graduate of The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation as well as the U.S. Army Chaplain School, is a spiritual teacher and compassionate social activist. He has devoted his life to providing hospitality and companioning for those in need.
He is currently a hospice chaplain and parish minister. Ken has hiked the Appalachian Trail solo over 2, 139 miles to help open the RAM House, a day shelter for the homeless in Roanoke, Virginia. In 2007, the shelter provided emergency financial aid to 5, 141 people and served 41,346 nutritious midday meals. The thru hike resulted in the privately published book, Mountain Meditations, My Walk With Christ on the Appalachian Trail (available through www.xlibris.com).
Ken has extensive knowledge of spiritual traditions, both East and West. He is a graduate of Kubasaki High School, Okinawa. He has also done graduate study at New College, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Ken is available to design a workshop or offer a talk to meet the specific needs of your group or organization. You may contact him through his website: www.thehospiceway.com. Ken would love to hear from you.
Blessing on your journey to the end of life. May the depth and wonder of life unfold for you on this path.