An End of Life Doula (also known as Death Doula or Midwife) is a non-medical professional who provides support to people who are dying and their families.
What do I do as a geriatric care manager/death doula?
- As a geriatric care manager, I offer decades of experience in all areas of eldercare (home, hospital, long term care). I help older adults and caregivers navigate the challenges of aging, provide assessment, consultations and recommendations, including and especially at the end of life.
- As a gentle yet authoritative advocate, help end of life goals/advanced directives be honored throughout the dying process.
- Assure continuity of the care plan, provide ongoing education to all in the circle of care including paid caregivers and medical professionals.
- Manage transitions with or for the family/Health Care Proxy (e.g., transfer to hospice services, possibly placing out or hiring in 24-hour care, make referrals). Provide ongoing oversight and monitoring, especially for people with no family nearby.
- Provide dying person and family emotional and logistical support services.
- Coach and educate family new to the dying process as well as their loved one’s unique needs.
- 1:1 bedside care as needed, cultivating calm and supportive environment as well as space for letting go.
- Work with senses (i.e. music, positioning, touch, aroma therapy, light).
- Can include creating a bedside page or book with bio, pictures and favorite poems for volunteers and caregivers to use as a tool to know this person on a more intimate level. Some doulas hired early enough can do legacy work with videos, etc for their families.
- Assess and work with hospice nursing to optimize pain management and comfort.
- Facilitate medical decision making with family or proxy.
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues, conflicts or gaps in care.
- Provide after death emotional as well as logistical support.
- Grief counseling as needed as an experienced and licensed psychotherapist.
