The Research team at Hospice Buffalo, led by Dr. Christopher Kerr (pictured) and Dr. Pei Grant, has been researching end-of-life care and the impact it has on patients and caregivers. To help you learn more about ELEs and how to discuss them with your loved ones, they have assembled a toolkit of downloadable PDFs. Some tools are worksheets to print and keep for yourself, while others are helpful documents for reference.

What Are ELEs?

ELEs are significant, subjective experiences within the dying process that occur while asleep or awake. They can happen hours, weeks, or even months before a person passes and may increase in frequency as patients approach death.

Watch the TEDxBuffalo talk, "I See Dead People: Dreams and Visions of the Dying," to hear Dr. Christopher Kerr’s perspective on ELEs.

Common ELE Themes

• A sense of comfort

• Preparing to travel somewhere

• Watching or engaging with the deceased

• Loved ones waiting

• Occasionally, past traumatic life experiences

• Unfinished business

Common Features of ELEs

• They are extremely vivid and feel real.

• They are recalled with insight and acuity.

• They often provide comfort and lessen the fear of death.

• They often hold personal meaning and provide insight for the dying patient and their loved ones.

ELE Stories

The video below features Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo patient Jeanne discussing her end-of-life experiences. As you watch, see if you notice any of the common themes or features listed above.

Read more.