An End of Life Doula is a companion to someone who is dying and the dying person’s loved ones. An End of Life Doula is a non-medical person who gives support physically, emotionally and spiritually to someone else. They may also be medically trained nurses, doctors, home health aides etc. The End of Life Doula’s job is to be a supportive presence to the dying and the loved ones of the dying.
Having been trained in the three phases of end of life care, the doula can be a resource for the patient and the family. Explaining what they are experiencing and offering appropriate suggestions that they may or may not consider to do for comfort for the patient.
Examples of what they will do:
• Companion to the dying and the dying person's loved ones.
• Suggesting interventions for comfort.
• Helping to facilitate unresolved issues
• Advanced Directives
• Planning the vigil
• End of life planning
• Writing the obituary
• Writing the eulogy
• Creating remembrances
• Finding peace and acceptance-helping the patient to find meaning in
their life and what their contribution was to this life
• Support the patient and their loved ones through the entire end of life
journey