What is an End of Life Doula?
End of Life Doula 's
A End of Life Doula empowers, educates and encourages people and their families to be involved in making decisions around living and dying well. The word "Doula" is Greek for servant or helper. Like a birth doula supports women during the labour process, a death doula supports a person during the dying process. This support is specific to that persons needs, beliefs, and desires. Death is a process that can span over months, years or just days. Making a plan while you are healthy, is encouraged by doulas, ensuring the care you receive at the end of your life is appropriate and aligned with your wishes.
Why hire a End of Life Doula?
The range of End of Life Doula services are unique to each family but can include:
- Wellness checks
- A partner in your whole wellness team
- To support Dignity & Grace for the dying person through their final days
- Create a comforting space wherever they are or choose to be.
- To help advocate & alleviate fear, depression and anxiety for the dying and family.
- Pre-Planning of gifts and cards for future important dates
- Assistance in funeral and memorial planning
- Legacy project support
- Writing of soul letters
- Respite for caregivers at any stage
- Virtual or in person sessions
- End of life workshops
- Community referrals
- Education & resources
- Loved one daily or weekly check in
- End of life coaching & creating a death plan (Vigil)
Peace of Mind Planner
The Peace of Mind Planner is an end of life organizer & guide book used to help loved ones know your personal wishes, financial affairs & important information.
Use this helpful planner to give you and your loved ones peace of mind!
Family records, medical information, funeral arrangements, what to pay, close or cancel, pet care and important documents
Note:
This planner is not a legal document and does not replace a valid will
Soul Letters & Legacy Planning
A most amazing experience leaving our families and loved ones with the last smile and acknowledgement of how they are loved.
A soul letter is a sincere and heartfelt letter that you write for a loved one or dear friend. It expresses:
What it has meant to have this person in your life
How they have helped you
What makes them special or unique to you
What qualities and virtues they have
How they have changed you and your life
What hopes and dreams you have for them.
Bucket List Fulfilment & Travel
What's on your bucket list and what is unfinished.? We can get creative so that you can experience as much as possible in your final months, days or years.
Travel companions based on availability and needs.
My Story
To Live by Design
Life experience has led me to start personal conversations and have a bold new look around our current culture of death. To plan for a death that goes hand in hand with YOUR values and YOUR life plan.
I am a End Of Life Doula, registered with the Canadian End of Life Doula Association as well as a Certified Nursing Aide with 20+ years working in palliative and extended care. I have served this community in a not for profit role for many years and have had comprehensive experience dealing with clients and their families going through crisis. During this pandemic, I have also been working with the Canadian Red Cross managing Covid-19 outbreaks within Long term care facilities. Site Managing & Coordinating the facilities needs and managing the individual family needs to stay connected to their loved ones & their loved ones to have meaningful connections while ensuring all Infection Prevention Control is in place and adhered to for all facility staff.
I was born and raised in Medicine Hat and much of my life has included volunteering or working for many organizations and boards including the: Medicine Hat and Area Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition, Medicine Hat Housing Community Advisory Board, SPCA, Community Food Connections Association, Crisis Assistance Network, Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund and the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank.
I am passionate about providing Dignity & Grace around death and dying and leaving nothing unsaid or undone for our loved ones.
