- What is the Role of an End-of-Life Doula? -
The essence of doula care is to provide non-medical, non-judgmental support and guidance to individuals and families through times of critical, transformative life change. EOL doulas nurture, inform, support, guide, empower and comfort those in their care, and who have invited them into their support system. Doulas work with other caregivers and members of the medical team as a collaborator and extra set of helping hands. Doulas foster self-determination in their clients by assisting them in gathering information and encouraging them to make informed choices that are right for them. For client needs outside of the doula’s scope of practice, the doula makes referrals to appropriate professionals and community resources. Doula support is focused on, and adapted to, the unique needs and requirements of each family served.
- What are the Limitations of an End-of-Life Doula? -
As non-medical care providers, end-of-life doulas do not perform clinical tasks (e.g., monitor vital signs, administer medication). The doula refrains from giving medical advice or from persuading clients to follow a specific course of action or treatment. The doula refrains from imposing their own values and beliefs on the client. Doulas do not undermine their clients’ confidence in their caregiver(s). Instead, the doula uses good listening skills to support clients who initiate a discussion about dissatisfaction with a caregiver's practice or attitudes. Doulas do not usurp the role of other professionals and caregivers such as the hospice nurse, social worker, chaplain, home health aide, etc. Doulas may be present at the request of the client, but doulas do not facilitate the medical aid-in-dying process (MAiD).
(Descriptions of the Role and Limitations sourced from the NEDA Scope of Practice)
- What is the Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice Care? -
Both focus on improving quality of life, but at different stages:
- Palliative care: Can start at any time during a serious illness, even while pursuing curative treatments.
It aims to manage symptoms, pain, and stress, improving overall well-being, walking alongside you
on the entire path of your illness.
- Hospice care: Typically begins when curative options are no longer pursued and life expectancy is limited.
It focuses on comfort and emotional support, helping patients and families make the most of
the time they have left during the final chapter of their journey.
-What Does it Mean to Hold a Vigil? -
- Bedside Vigil: This is a period of support for someone who is seriously ill and nearing death.
An end-of-life doula, family and friends may gather at the bedside to offer comfort, support, and
compassionate care during this difficult time. Activities may include quiet companionship,
holding hands, reading, or playing calming music. This also offers an opportunity for family and care givers to step away for some self care time or rest during the night.
- Vigil for the Deceased: This is a gathering held after someone has passed away.
It's a time for loved ones to come together, share memories, grieve their loss, and support each other.
Activities may include washing the body and preparing for funeral or disposition, storytelling,
spiritual rituals, lighting candles, or simply sitting together in quiet reflection.
- Is Doula Care Covered by Insurance? -
End-of-life doula care isn't currently covered by most insurance plans, and is available on a private pay basis. This is because end-of-life doula work is a relatively new field and their focus is on
emotional and practical support, not medical care. Hopefully as the end-of-life doula profession becomes more widely recognized, it will be a service that is able to be covered and reimbursed by insurance!
- Who Needs a Doula? -
Anyone could benefit from the services of an End-of-Life doula at any stage of their life, heathy, ill, or somewhere in between. Here are a few examples of the types of individuals who would benefit most!
- Anyone seeking general end-of-life guidance or companionship: Assistance facilitating conversations about death & dying, fostering a sense of peace and preparedness for both the individual & their caregivers.
- Caregivers: Specific support for caregivers facing the emotional and practical challenges of caring for a loved one or someone who hired them professionally, nearing the end of life. This can include respite care planning, communication skills development, & emotional support to help them navigate this difficult time.
- People planning ahead: Help for healthy individuals who are exploring their wishes for end-of-life care, communicating them clearly & early on, which can ease the burden on future caregivers or loved ones.
-Those facing a terminal illness: Support and guidance for individuals and families
navigating the end-of-life journey, including caregivers who may be experiencing emotional strain.
- Those experiencing unexpected loss: Support for individuals and families grieving a sudden or unexpected loss, including caregivers who may be struggling to cope with the additional responsibility.
- Solo Agers: Support for a solo ager who is an older adult (65+) that by choice or circumstance is making decisions about their future independently, aging within their community without the support of a spouse, child, or close relative. Solo agers might have never married or had children (or children are disabled or estranged), may be divorced or widowed, may have family from whom they are estranged, lives far away or is unable to support, or the solo aging individual does not want family support and does not want to feel that they are a burden to their loved ones.
- How much experience do you have in your field? -
While I'm a newly titled and certified End-of-Life Doula, I bring strong interpersonal and communication skills to this role. The experience I had while caring for my mother gave me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by both those facing illness and their loved ones. I'm a fast learner and highly motivated to provide empowering support during this sensitive time. Beyond my passion for end-of-life support, my previous background in childcare fostered empathy and clear communication, while another short stint in tech honed my organizational skills – key for advance care planning. Experience in retail customer service allows me to navigate sensitive conversations with compassion.
- What can families expect when working with you? -
I believe each family's needs are unique, so I approach every situation with an open mind and
a willingness to adapt. Working collaboratively, we can create a personalized plan that reflects you or your loved one's wishes and your family's needs. I'm here to offer as much guidance and support as I can, but ultimately, the decisions are yours, and that's what makes working with an End-of-Life Doula so empowering!
- Beyond your qualifications & experience, what safeguards are there for clients choosing your services? -
At Celestial Bridge Doula Care LLC, I prioritize your confidentiality and well-being.
I operate as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and carry professional liability insurance,
providing an extra layer of security for my services. This means you can have peace of mind
knowing you're working with a qualified and insured end-of-life doula.
The essence of doula care is to provide non-medical, non-judgmental support and guidance to individuals and families through times of critical, transformative life change. EOL doulas nurture, inform, support, guide, empower and comfort those in their care, and who have invited them into their support system. Doulas work with other caregivers and members of the medical team as a collaborator and extra set of helping hands. Doulas foster self-determination in their clients by assisting them in gathering information and encouraging them to make informed choices that are right for them. For client needs outside of the doula’s scope of practice, the doula makes referrals to appropriate professionals and community resources. Doula support is focused on, and adapted to, the unique needs and requirements of each family served.
- What are the Limitations of an End-of-Life Doula? -
As non-medical care providers, end-of-life doulas do not perform clinical tasks (e.g., monitor vital signs, administer medication). The doula refrains from giving medical advice or from persuading clients to follow a specific course of action or treatment. The doula refrains from imposing their own values and beliefs on the client. Doulas do not undermine their clients’ confidence in their caregiver(s). Instead, the doula uses good listening skills to support clients who initiate a discussion about dissatisfaction with a caregiver's practice or attitudes. Doulas do not usurp the role of other professionals and caregivers such as the hospice nurse, social worker, chaplain, home health aide, etc. Doulas may be present at the request of the client, but doulas do not facilitate the medical aid-in-dying process (MAiD).
(Descriptions of the Role and Limitations sourced from the NEDA Scope of Practice)
- What is the Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice Care? -
Both focus on improving quality of life, but at different stages:
- Palliative care: Can start at any time during a serious illness, even while pursuing curative treatments.
It aims to manage symptoms, pain, and stress, improving overall well-being, walking alongside you
on the entire path of your illness.
- Hospice care: Typically begins when curative options are no longer pursued and life expectancy is limited.
It focuses on comfort and emotional support, helping patients and families make the most of
the time they have left during the final chapter of their journey.
-What Does it Mean to Hold a Vigil? -
- Bedside Vigil: This is a period of support for someone who is seriously ill and nearing death.
An end-of-life doula, family and friends may gather at the bedside to offer comfort, support, and
compassionate care during this difficult time. Activities may include quiet companionship,
holding hands, reading, or playing calming music. This also offers an opportunity for family and care givers to step away for some self care time or rest during the night.
- Vigil for the Deceased: This is a gathering held after someone has passed away.
It's a time for loved ones to come together, share memories, grieve their loss, and support each other.
Activities may include washing the body and preparing for funeral or disposition, storytelling,
spiritual rituals, lighting candles, or simply sitting together in quiet reflection.
- Is Doula Care Covered by Insurance? -
End-of-life doula care isn't currently covered by most insurance plans, and is available on a private pay basis. This is because end-of-life doula work is a relatively new field and their focus is on
emotional and practical support, not medical care. Hopefully as the end-of-life doula profession becomes more widely recognized, it will be a service that is able to be covered and reimbursed by insurance!
- Who Needs a Doula? -
Anyone could benefit from the services of an End-of-Life doula at any stage of their life, heathy, ill, or somewhere in between. Here are a few examples of the types of individuals who would benefit most!
- Anyone seeking general end-of-life guidance or companionship: Assistance facilitating conversations about death & dying, fostering a sense of peace and preparedness for both the individual & their caregivers.
- Caregivers: Specific support for caregivers facing the emotional and practical challenges of caring for a loved one or someone who hired them professionally, nearing the end of life. This can include respite care planning, communication skills development, & emotional support to help them navigate this difficult time.
- People planning ahead: Help for healthy individuals who are exploring their wishes for end-of-life care, communicating them clearly & early on, which can ease the burden on future caregivers or loved ones.
-Those facing a terminal illness: Support and guidance for individuals and families
navigating the end-of-life journey, including caregivers who may be experiencing emotional strain.
- Those experiencing unexpected loss: Support for individuals and families grieving a sudden or unexpected loss, including caregivers who may be struggling to cope with the additional responsibility.
- Solo Agers: Support for a solo ager who is an older adult (65+) that by choice or circumstance is making decisions about their future independently, aging within their community without the support of a spouse, child, or close relative. Solo agers might have never married or had children (or children are disabled or estranged), may be divorced or widowed, may have family from whom they are estranged, lives far away or is unable to support, or the solo aging individual does not want family support and does not want to feel that they are a burden to their loved ones.
- How much experience do you have in your field? -
While I'm a newly titled and certified End-of-Life Doula, I bring strong interpersonal and communication skills to this role. The experience I had while caring for my mother gave me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by both those facing illness and their loved ones. I'm a fast learner and highly motivated to provide empowering support during this sensitive time. Beyond my passion for end-of-life support, my previous background in childcare fostered empathy and clear communication, while another short stint in tech honed my organizational skills – key for advance care planning. Experience in retail customer service allows me to navigate sensitive conversations with compassion.
- What can families expect when working with you? -
I believe each family's needs are unique, so I approach every situation with an open mind and
a willingness to adapt. Working collaboratively, we can create a personalized plan that reflects you or your loved one's wishes and your family's needs. I'm here to offer as much guidance and support as I can, but ultimately, the decisions are yours, and that's what makes working with an End-of-Life Doula so empowering!
- Beyond your qualifications & experience, what safeguards are there for clients choosing your services? -
At Celestial Bridge Doula Care LLC, I prioritize your confidentiality and well-being.
I operate as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and carry professional liability insurance,
providing an extra layer of security for my services. This means you can have peace of mind
knowing you're working with a qualified and insured end-of-life doula.
Photo by Sarah Sheedy on Unsplash
© 2024 Chelsea Mowery / Celestial Bridge Doula Care LLC, All Rights Reserved
© 2024 Chelsea Mowery / Celestial Bridge Doula Care LLC, All Rights Reserved