What is an End-of-Life Doula?

The medical model of care is focused on writing invoices, billing medications and not to say the least try to keep people from dying. However, there are limitations to the insurance-based healthcare system. An end-of-life doula is an ally for the dying person and works collaboratively with physicians, social workers, chaplains and others in the circle of care to offer the most comprehensive care available.

An end-of-life doula is a guide in the emotional, spiritual, and practical care needed when a person and their family is faced with death. End-of-life doulas provide non-medical, holistic support and comfort and offer education during a time of transition. Attentive listening, sitting in silence, holding a meaningful conversation or advocating for the dying person are only some of the skills and tasks an end-of-life doula can offer in those special last moments at the end of life. Having a compassionate ear to listen to memories or concerns, or words of comfort and insight to reduce stress and fear, the purpose of an end-of-life doula is to be fully present for the dying person and their family.  An end-of-life doula strives to make transitions as peaceful as possible.

An end-of-life doula focuses on the psycho-social support of the dying person and its family with the aim to increase death literacy, personal empowerment, positive end-of-life experience for the family, and ideally providing a personalized and peaceful death. With the compassionate care of an end-of-life doula all aspects of life are addressed that go along with physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs, ensuring that the dying person and their family is honoured and optimally supported throughout the journey.

Integrating an end-of-life doula into the care creates a personalized, patient-centred approach which is not easy to find in the traditional medical system but is crucial for efficient and compassionate end-of-life care.

---

Anne Stewart is an HHA volunteer and death doula in the Halton/Mississauga Region. You can learn more about Anne at www.HoldingSpaceHalton.ca.