Being Fully Present

Being Fully Present, which teaches viewers how to administer good palliative (or comfort) care to terminally ill patients, consists almost entirely of head-and-shoulder shots of Joy Ufema, R.N., M.S., a clinical specialist in death and dying, who relates anecdotes and offers specific advice on maintaining the highest possible quality of life to the end. A couple of Ufema's patients are briefly interviewed as well, but the focus here is on Ufema's complete command of the subject, from her gentle demeanor and compelling stories, to her detailed instruction on how to enter a room and where to stand (kneel at the head of the bed), anticipate various needs (make sure water and tissues are available, reduce extraneous noises such as television, etc.), and not let your own discomfort take priority over offering the best care. In this last phase of life, when an uncomfortable or undignified death is a distinct, if unintentional, possibility (since so many of us are unprepared and inexperienced), Ufema's solid advice is wholly welcome. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (A. Cantú)