Death Doulas Offer Powerful Support During Death and Bereavement

An End of Life Doula is a great source of support for someone as they die, and for families after the death has occurred. Anna Adams, End of Life Doula and founder of International Doula Life Movement believes everyone should have a doula. Through vigils, education, rituals, and compassionate presence, doulas help dispel the fear that can come during a death. When someone is dying, an End of Life Doula can offer individualized support that’s a good fit for the patient and caregiver. While the dying process can be very similar for most people, each person’s labor of dying is a unique set of processes and symptoms. Doulas teach families and caregivers what to expect when someone is dying, and how to provide care to ease symptoms that might be distressing. When a family or patient wants someone knowledgeable at the bedside, a doula might provide vigil care. A vigil involves the doula being present and watchful while the death is occurring. The doula’s role doesn’t stop there; there’s additional grief support after the death has occurred.   Want to know more about doulas, or connect with others who are doing death doula work? Visit internationaldoulalifemovement.com.  If you’re interested in becoming a certified death doula through IDLM, click here. Access all the courses that IDLM provides here. See all the events that IDLM is offering by clicking here.    Looking for a copy of the Odonata Care Plan? Click here to purchase it for yourself or your care agency.   NEW** - the Odonata Care Plan is now available in SPANISH - purchase it here!!  Check out the free Care Video tutorials from Odonata founders and hospice nurses Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire here.  Partner with National HME to provide medical equipment for your patients at nationalhme.com. Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)  Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to [email protected].  Follow The Heart of Hospice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.  Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network, along with a host of other caregiving podcasts by clicking here.