~Birth and Death are only a door through which we go in and out. And we must remember that Life and Death are interconnected truths that all of us must face when we return Home~

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An End of Life Doula is a trained, holistic, non-medical professional who offers a supportive presence to the dying and the loved ones of the dying without judgment. They strive to honor the wishes of the patient, allowing them to maintain autonomy and control.  The main goal is to ensure a peaceful, comfortable, and dignified end of life experience. There are many dynamics associated with dying, which includes fear of physical pain, emotional upset, spiritual pain, and the uncertainty of what will happen after death. Serving as an advocate, companion and guide, I help manage the stress and anxiety that naturally occurs when a patient and their family members are faced with a terminal illness.

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The work of an End of Life Doula can consist of but is not limited to:

• Comfort, Emotional and Spiritual Support: provide a consistent, compassionate presence from the first introduction to the final moments and beyond, sitting vigil with the dying person, recommend comfort measures
• Guidance and Planning: facilitate conversations about advance care directives and end of Life planning, act as a liaison with the medical/ hospice team
• Legacy Projects: help with creating memory books, letters and recordings to honor the person's Life
• Caregiver Assistance and Companionship: offer respite for caregivers and companionship to the patient
• Grief Support: guide loved ones through grief
• Vigil planning and support : Assist with planning vigils to create meaningful, peaceful final days for patients and their families.
• Timing: a Death Doula can be involved at any time in someone's Life, including years before Death is imminent

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The gap between what people want and what they get is because the medical model of care is designed to keep people alive at all costs, even at the expense of their quality of Life. So it's important that people's end of Life wishes are advocated for to allow them autonomy.

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An End of Life Doula does not:

• Administer medications

• Provide medical or hands-on care (example, bathing, toileting, changing of adult incontinence briefs)

• Provide wound care

• Take temperature or blood pressure

• Make any legal decisions related to the end of life care for the patient

 

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