Your Questions Answered

Q. What is an end-of-life/death Doula?   

A death doula, also known as an end-of-life doula (EOLD), is a trained professional who provides non-medical support to individuals and their families during the dying process. 

 

Core Components of the Doula Model of Care: 6 Guiding Principles

• Non-medical support. Doulas refrain from performing any clinical or medicalized tasks. 

• Non-judgmental support. The doula does not impose her/his values on the client such as acting on biases in favor of one method.

• Family-centered approach. The individual and their family form the unit of care. Doulas do not take the place of partners, family members, or other care providers. 

• Holistic care. Doulas recognize the biopsychosocial and spiritual aspects of the whole person and provide services in the context of this understanding.

• Empowerment. Doulas promote informed decision-making and foster maximum self-determination for the individual and family.

• Team members. Doulas are team players with a special role.

 

Types of Support Provided by Doulas

• Presence. Good listener, witness, calming influence, nurturing, and support for troubleshooting challenges.

• Emotional support. Always part of the doula’s role. 

• Information sharing. Education as needed and desired, non-biased and evidence-based. 

• Proactive guidance. Anticipating needs and making a plan.

• Resources and referrals. Making referrals to appropriate community resources and care providers increases access to all available services.

• Comfort measures and physical support. It can include hands-on comfort techniques, help with positioning, visualization, and the use of the breath.

• Logistical support. This can include household help, running errands, transportation to medical appointments, etc.

 

Q: Why would someone hire an end-of-life doula?    
It can be overwhelming to care for someone at home who is very sick. As the illness advances, needs become greater. Studies have shown that the effects on caregivers are profound — physically, emotionally, and socially. Hospice care, while extremely helpful, is frequently not initiated until the last few days or weeks, and members of the hospice team are limited in the amount of time they can spend with patients and families. End-of-life doulas can become involved while the individual is still feeling well and wants to get tasks completed. They can be hired to help get "projects" done or to help plan for future needs. Doulas are resource experts, helping clients make the most of services available in the community.

 

Q. What do death doulas do and what services might they offer?

Death doulas provide emotional, physical, spiritual, and practical support. 

The services EOLDs may offer include:

• Advanced Care Planning for future healthcare

• Companionship in the home or at the bedside

• Personal care (bathing, dressing, feeding)

• Organizing and coordinating support from family and friends

• Household services such as meal preparation, child or pet care, rides

• Hands-on, non-medical comfort measures, such as guided imagery, breathing and relaxation

• Life review and legacy work

• Use of pets, art, music

• Spiritual support

• Respite care so caregivers can take a much-needed break

• Being on-call

• Vigil-ing

• Can help design a ritual or ceremony

• Information about funeral and burial choices, especially home funeral and green burial

• Support during bereavement

 

Q. When can I work with a death doula?

You can work with a death doula at any point in the death process, even if you don't have a terminal diagnosis. 

 

Q. How are death doulas different from hospice workers?

Death doulas provide non-medical support, while hospice workers provide medical care. 

 

Q. How do death doulas get paid?

Death doulas can be paid by the hour or on a sliding scale.  Pro bono work is also offered in certain circumstances.

 

Q. Will Medicare pay for the services of a death doula?

No, Medicare does not cover end-of-life doula services. Instead, families and individuals usually pay for these services out-of-pocket. 

Explanation

• Death doula services are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or most private insurance plans. 

• Families and individuals usually pay for these services out-of-pocket. 

• Fees can vary depending on the services provided, location, and other factors. 

• Some hospice services support end-of-life doula services through donations, grants, or scholarships. 

• Some doulas provide volunteer services through a hospice or nonprofit organization. 

 

Q. How do death doulas support families?

Death doulas can help families feel less confused and more informed about their options. They can also help families create a peaceful atmosphere and act as liaisons between the family and the funeral home. 

 

A death doula provides emotional, spiritual, and practical support to individuals facing death and their families. They can help families navigate the dying process and feel supported during difficult times.

 

Emotional support

• Facilitate open discussions: Death doulas can help families have conversations about their fears, concerns, and grief.

• Create a safe and supportive space: Death doulas can help families feel heard, understood, and respected.

• Provide companionship: Death doulas can provide comfort and guidance to the individual and their loved ones.

 

Spiritual support

• Help individuals live with purpose

Death doulas can help individuals live the time they have left with purpose and companionship.

• Offer spiritual guidance

Death doulas can offer spiritual guidance to the individual and their loved ones.

 

Practical support

• Help with advance care planning

Death doulas can help individuals work through their advanced directives and end-of-life planning.

• Help with practical tasks

Death doulas can help with practical tasks like organizing paperwork, planning for hospice care, and connecting individuals with community resources.

• Provide respite care

Death doulas can provide respite care, allowing family caregivers to take a break and recharge.

 

Support after death

• Help with logistics: Death doulas can support families after death by helping with logistics like organizing a house to be ready for sale, procuring death certificates, closing social media accounts, or navigating insurance.

 

Additional Information on the work of death doulas can be found here:

 

https://deathdoulas.com/faqs