Over the years, we as health care providers have proven that a good perinatal preparation, a good birthing process and a good postnatal care ensures the physical and mental well being of the newborn and his mother. A similar opportunity for quality outcome should be afforded at life`s final phase – preparation and a good ‘gateway’ for the dying person, as well as a good follow – up period of those left behind. A good death needs guidance to settle outstanding issues, to articulate values, beliefs and doubts and to live the remaining period of life in the fullest and most meaningful way.
Early contact is pivotal to learn about our client and his life history. This time is needed to build our client`s trust, to endorse our commitment, and to collect the tools needed to guide him through the gateway and when taking his last breath. It is equally important to meet the immediate needs of his family and to develop the crucial trusting partnership that will ensure a good dying process for their loved one in setting of his choice, and a better acceptance of their loss. It is realistic to assume that people in the future will invest in their final time.
The growing quality consciousness will provide tailored services that ensure seamless, quality care along the continuum of an entire final episode. Through a series of paintings, done in the final phase of life, I show how transition from darkness to light, in palliative care, is possible. This specific part shows how to process unconscious, unfinished business in to conscious finished business, through the tools with in the frame of art – therapy.
