Coma and near death
New Books on Dementia
We are enjoying reading the new and helpful
books on Dementia, Coma and Eldership by Stan Tomandl and
Tom Richards. See An Alzheimer’s Surprise Party and
Eldership, A Celebration found at http://www.lulu.com/sentientcare.
These books are both compassionate and practical.
Coma online book
To learn more
about dealing with the complex, paradoxical and often baffling altered
states of consciousness in near death situations.
 Free
pdf file download (file size is 4.3MB). To open the file
please use the password Itpcoma1. Note:
The first letter of the password is l for letter.
New Research
Into Altered States by Pierre Morin
“We are happy to see Dr. Pierre Morin’s investigation connecting
the philosophical, medical, and process oriented viewpoints around the meaning
of consciousness and connection with people in altered and comatose states".
Download
his original article in German: Prozessorientierte
Kommunikation mit Menschen in Veränderten Bewusstseinszuständen
und Koma Pierre Morin, MD, Ph.D. (59Kb Word document)
Coma and The Improbable Theatre
We were pleased and thankful to have discovered the actor and director,
Phelim McDermott, and his
article about coma. Some of the process work background he speaks of
is related to the work of Arlene
and J.C. Audergon of London.
See the descriptions of Phelim’s show, COMA by
the Improbable Theatre Company at http://www.improbable.co.uk/show_example.asp?item_id=4
9 Near Death and Coma Work Tips for helpers and family
(from questions frequently asked)
Value feeling or meta-skills as much as skills. (See Amy’s
Coma, A Guide…and Arny’s Coma, Key… for more) There
are no firm procedures and may never be any fixed rules in working with
people. Everything is a process; it depends upon the moment, people, belief
systems, and feedback processes. However some of the tips we
provide below may be useful for those
who ponder what to do in near death states. Follow them if they are useful,
but please don’t use these statements as commandments.
“0”. Value feeling or
meta-skills as much as skills
(See Amy’s Coma, A Guide…and
Arny’s Coma, Key… for more) There are no firm procedures
and may never be any fixed rules in working with people. Everything is
a process; it depends upon the moment, people, belief systems, and feedback
processes. However some of the follow tips may be useful for those who
ponder what to do in near death states. Follow them if they are useful,
but please don’t use these statements as commandments.
I. About Medications
At the appropriate time, when someone is nearing death,
ask them if they prefer a lucid state (minimal drugs) in which they can
track their experiences
or a less-lucid state (more drugs). Left to themselves, the majority of people
do not seem to use their lucidity in comatose or near coma-like states. This
may be due in part to the lack of education about death and dying and the
culture someone is living in. Giving more drugs --to make the client feel “better”--
is a good idea. Remember that discovering the creativity trying to happen
may enrich and facilitate the whole process. Hence there need be little conflict
between using or not using medication; medications and awareness work together.
II. Effects of Lucidity
Everyone should know that as a general rule, the more complete the processes,
the more restful and best for all.
III. Precision
For those “clients” choosing the lucid path,
be absolutely precise as a helper and notice little tiny things and repeat
them in one way or another.
IV. Wait and Notice
What you don’t know, don’t fill in with your
everyday mind; wait for answers to happen. Only after positive feedback
to what you have
done, go on with what you are doing. Especially in comawork and in general,
if the client asks you to play a part in their process, then you can or must
use your own experiences as part of the overall process. You are needed as
you are!
V. Agitation Just Before Death
To the surprise and terror of many helpers, clients near
death seem to get agitated and try to fly or walk or even run from their
bed. Helpful methods
to work with this are to tell them you are going to fly or walk for them,
and to ask them to “choreograph” you, if possible. Or, you can
move their body or legs for them and ask them to imagine where they are going
and what they are doing. Some folks tell you they are flying into the air,
or reaching for the sun etc. (Actually helping someone out of bed is a very
radical procedure and needs great care and expertise.)
VI. Respecting Death and dying is very important
Perhaps even more important however is respecting the process that is not
necessarily time or space bound, here or there.
VII. About Attachment
If you are normal and attached and can’t let go,
then act that out, put on a little theatre, show it to the other, and then
you might be able
to show letting go. Many feelings we have mirror submerged feelings the client
has and is shy about showing.
VIII What to do Next?
Remember, you are the other. If your friend or client
asked you to be there at the end, and you don’t know what to do,
ask yourself what you would want in a given moment.
IX Special Situations. Young Children
When dealing with very young children, especially under the age of two,
we have had good responses by playing very fast and/or very slow music and
simultaneously, gently tapping on the feet in rhythm with the music. Depending
upon the situation, half an hour, twice a day could be helpful.
Working with Near Death and Coma situations
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