Price: $24.99
(as of Dec 16, 2025 23:10:36 UTC – Details)

When someone chooses to voluntarily stop eating and drinking (VSED) to bring their life to a natural close, loved ones often ask: Why this path? What can we expect? How can we help?

This clear, compassionate guide offers practical answers and emotional support for those navigating this profound choice. Drawing from years of end-of-life work, Nancy Simmers walks readers through what VSED is, how it unfolds, and how to care for both the person choosing VSED and the wider circle of support.

Inside you’ll find insight into:

The stages of VSED—from consideration and planning, through the process of dehydration and declineThe roles of doulas, hospice, and the broader support teamHow to support someone emotionally, physically, and spirituallyWays to care for oneself, caregivers, family, and friends

Whether you’re a friend, family member, caregiver, or palliative care provider, this book offers grounded wisdom, gentle guidance, and room for reflection during one of life’s most tender thresholds.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FSYKBWB9
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 22, 2025
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 171 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8263793685
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.39 x 9 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #278,476 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #264 in Aging & Longevity (Books) #304 in Aging Parents (Books) #8,559 in Medical Books (Books)
Customer Reviews: 5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars (1) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });

Click to enlarge