My sister-in-law works in Palliative Care, and the other day we were talking about helping people who were dying, and she said she could quit Nursing and take up that occupation, which she said not many were doing. My Neice just died and as the family works through their grieve and mourning, I found this information on the role of the Death Doula.
I was ready Ronnie Bennetts's blog "Time Goes By" and her post was Where do you want to die?". The title caught my attention because my Niece had chosen to die at her parent's home, not her home,, and not in a hospice. In her Blog, Ronnie talked about the fact that more people are choosing to die at home and she referenced something called a Death Dula. I looked up the term as I had not heard it before.
According to the Internet, A Death Doula is a relatively new option for the dying and their families, Death Doulas began seeing a rise in popularity over the past few years. Death Doulas are hired by patients or family members when a terminal diagnosis is given and stay with that person and their family through their death and beyond.
When people are nearing the end of their lives, a Doula will visit and often sit vigil with them as they are dying. They also help patients with their will and other advanced directives.
They help people do legacy projects such as quilts, art projects, scrapbooks or writing letters to leave behind for their relatives.
Close to where I live there is a course is designed for individuals who have been or will be called upon to provide care, support and advocacy for someone who is facing the end of their life. Students develop an understanding of how the continuity of care and advocacy they provide complements the end of life care provided by the medical community and hospice palliative care workers and volunteers.
For more information about the community of practice for End of Life Doulas, please contact The End of Life Doula Association of Canada.
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