HEART-to-HEART: Caring for the Dying

Winner of both the Gracie and Clarion awards for Best Documentary Series.

As the population ages and many of us confront the passing of parents and loved ones, we need a more thoughtful public conversation about end of life care. How can we help people live well in the face of death? Can we make the process of dying a meaningful experience free from excessive fear and pain? Heart-to-Heart raises these questions and explores some of the answers.

Drawn from over 80 hours of recordings, Heart-to-Heart: Caring for the Dying is compelling, sound-rich radio that brings wisdom, compassion, and common sense to this vitally important dialogue. Heart-to-Heart looks at the care given by doctors, hospitals, clergy, family and friends to people at the end of life. It examines the barriers to good care that arise from cultural misunderstanding, from fear over the use of morphine, from lack of funding to pay for services. Each program provides ideas, examples and inspiration for those who are searching for a good path on the journey to death. While the stories are personal, the themes are universal, as we all struggle to come to terms with the passing of friends, family members, and ultimately ourselves.

• Program I: Richard Buike's cancer has wrapped itself around nerve cells, which can cause incredible pain. But unlike many Americans, who die today in needless agony, Richard's pain is controlled with high doses of opioid drugs. Beyond Pain, focuses on how fear of addiction and the "War on Drugs" undermine pain management at the end of life.

• Program II: Brittney is thirteen. Cystic fibrosis threatens to take her life before she has a chance to grow up. Children Sometimes Die, is about children who die and the support they and their families need during this unbelievably difficult experience.

• Program III: Regina Dyer, an African-American woman, is dying of breast cancer. Respecting Diversity looks at the influence of culture, race and religion on dying. Hide full description

Winner of both the Gracie and Clarion awards for Best Documentary Series. As the population ages and many of us confront the passing of parents and loved ones, we need a more thoughtful public conversation about end of life care. How can we help people live well in the face of death? Can we make the process of dying a meaningful experience free from excessive fear and pain? Heart-to-Heart raises these questions and explores some of the answers. Drawn from over 80 hours of recordings, Heart-to-Heart: Caring for the Dying is compelling, sound-rich radio that brings wisdom, compassion, and common sense to this vitally important dialogue. Heart-to-Heart looks at the care given by doctors, hospitals, clergy, family and friends to people at the end of life. It examines the barriers to... Show full description