3 hours of support: $300 per week
we work together to figure out how best to distribute your three hours of support, based on your specific situation.
COMPANIONSHIP
As much as friends and loved ones might very sincerely wish to show up for someone whose life is ending, many people find it emotionally overwhelming. End of Life Doulas are trained to be a present comfortable companion to people as the end of life approaches–familiar with the changes that occur, and prepared to sit calmly and be a non-judgmental listener to the emotions and concerns that people experience as they reckon with their own death.
CAREGIVER RESPITE
The role of caregiver can be exhausting in many ways: physically, emotionally, psychologically, socially. In my experience, one of the most important factors in maintaining the health of the caregiving relationship is access to reliable respite: dependably scheduled time when the caregiver can go for a walk, take a yoga class, visit with friends, nap, meet with a therapist–in short, tend to their own needs, take a break, and get some space.
Traditional care teams provide as much respite care as they are able, and End of Life Doulas can supplement this– with an End of Life Doula, a caregiver gets a dependable schedule of ‘time off’ they can use as they wish, and the person cared for has a consistent schedule of time with a person who is there as a companion. Most End of Life Doulas take on one client at a time–you get our full attention and availability–and this affords us the ability to be flexible as well, to respond immediately to shifts in a caregiver’s need for respite.
GRIEF SUPPORT
We most often think of grief as something that happens after a death. But grieving can also occur before death. As we move toward the end of life, our abilities change– this is a form of loss, and in this, there is much to grieve: roles that have been important to our sense of self, talents and abilities we have been proud of, activities we have devoted effort and time to, our independence. It is hard to let go of things that we cherish, things we love doing, our sense of autonomy.
End of Life Doulas provide non-judgmental support as people move through the many emotions that emerge from this grief, and we offer guidance around how a person can actively mourn the loss of cherished aspects of their life as they near death. End of Life Doulas thus help people process this form of grief so that they may focus on the life they have left to live.
COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY
End of Life Doulas facilitate clear communication between you and all the branches of your care team, with those you care about, and with visitors and guests. A dying person is at the still center of a broad and shifting cast of characters: loved ones (relationships that are rich, varied, and complex), a care team in diverse and crucial roles, and friends wishing to visit and help. End of Life Doulas can handle the work of communicating your wishes, your needs, and your boundaries with courtesy and respect to all these individuals.
Sometimes people need help starting a frank conversation with their caregivers; sometimes people need support before and after conversations with estranged relations or friends; and everyone benefits when guests understand and respect one’s wishes around visits– when, for how long, what kinds of interactions are enjoyable at any given point in the process. At the end of life, it really helps to have an informed courteous person charged with communicating our wishes and needs in our stead. An End of Life Doula ensures that all these kinds of communication happen with clarity and tact.