Question 1: discuss how words are sometimes not needed, but physical touch is, when communicating with end-of-life hospice patients.

Question 2. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your social support network in terms of the number of people you know? In terms of the quality of you interactions? Do you think relationships have an impact on your health? If so, how Is the quantity or quality of your social ties more important to your well-being? Why?

Question 3. Describe an instance in which you offered someone action-facilitating support and an instance which you offered someone nurturing support. Now describe instances in which you received these forms of support. What was the outcome in each instance? Were the supportive efforts mostly effective or ineffective? Why?

Question 4. Divide a paper into two columns. In the left hand, write specific expectations for your future. In the right column, evaluate each expectation in terms of whether it is likely to be good or bad, easy or difficult, likely or unlikely. The theory of problematic integration suggests that some of these expectations are likely to come true and some are not. What role is communication likely to play in pursuing the expectations you value? In coping with unforeseen circumstances along the way?

Question 5. In what ways can people be oversupportive? What are the likely outcomes of different types of over-support? Name five tips for ensuring that social support efforts are effective.

Question 6. Have you ever felt that an animal was a good friend? Why or why not? Do you think animal companionship affects your coping ability?

Question 7. Compare the birth experiences of Carol Bishop Mills and her husband with those of Kate and Chris (pages172-173). What do you learn from these examples?

Question 8. What does the term transcendent experience mean? Can you think of examples from movies or your own experiences?

Question 9. In your opinion, is there such a thing as a good death? If so, how would you describe it?

Question 10. Do you have an advance-care directive? Why or why not?

Question 11. What is your opinion of the right-to-die issue