End-of-life Doula for End-of-life Care
NATIONAL END-OF-LIFE DOULA ALLIANCE (NEDA) says “Every human being—irrespective of, but not limited to their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and other cultural attributes or identities—has a right to die with dignity, surrounded by love, compassion, and grace.“
What is an End-of-life Doula?
Doula is pronounced ‘ Doo-La ‘ and means ‘ a person of service ‘ in the modern Greek Language.
An End-of-Life Doula (EOLD) is a non-medical presence for the dying person, their family and loved ones.
A Doula’s main objective is to offer holistic, compassionate and practical help and support, education, and resources, that enable the person to have their end of life care, passing and funeral align with their wishes.
The main ways a Doula can support the terminally ill and their loved ones includes but not limited to:
- Non medical comfort and compassion
- Emotional and physical support
- assistance with navigation around care and support options
- Assistance in completing paperwork
- Advocacy for the needs of people who are dying and their families
- Post death end-of-life rituals
- Funeral or Cremation Planning and Preparation
This support can be offered at home, in hospital, at an aged care facility, hospice, palliative care centre etc.
No mater if it is as early as initial diagnosis, or as late as the beginning of the active dying phase or even after death, if bereavement care is what you are seeking, a Doula can help.
An End-of-life Doula may also be referred to as a Death Doula or Death-Care Doula.
Where can I find an End-of-life Doula or more information?
Fortunately the NATIONAL END-OF-LIFE DOULA ALLIANCE (NEDA) website offers an abundance of information and a directory that lists End-of-life Doula’s and much more.