“Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.”
Anon
Welcome and thank you for visiting our consultation page. There are certified End of Life Doulas who are available to help with any questions you may have regarding the DYW Portal Program or any individual concerns that you may have.
Part of our mission is to provide services that will allow for an empowered and natural death by supporting the dying and their families. Because everyone has a unique situation, some will want help to seek out resources, and others may need help to apply the information you have read about in the DYW Portal Program. Our EOL Doulas are well trained to advocate and individualize the program to fit your needs.
If you are new to the idea and not sure what an End of Life Doula means, we explain below in further detail what to expect and how you might benefit.
In our 30 minute conversation, each Doula will assess your needs to see if we may be of service. You will also have the ability to determine if this added service would benefit your situation. There is no obligation on your part, so be at ease.
It is recommended that you purchase the DYW Portal Program before your consultation. In this way, you will be familiar with our approach and come to the 30 minute conversation with specific questions or concerns. Purchasing the portal program is not required, only suggested.
We look forward to speaking with you,
Claire O’Berry
WHAT IS AN END OF LIFE DOULA?
A certified End of Life (EOL) Doula believes managing mortality and dying well is achievable by applying professional skills to assist the dying and their families. An EOL Doula is trained in core competencies to support those confronting the end of their life in a non-medical way using specialized knowledge of the dying process with compassion, values, and ethics.
Currently, there are 78 million people over the age of 65 in the USA alone living longer with chronic illnesses within a fractured medical system. 20% of these Baby Boomers do not have children to care for them. Many families live too far away from each other to be able to help in any significant way. Typically an EOL Doula will fill that gap for many families. A “silver tsunami” is fast approaching making it more important than ever to determine and communicate our final wishes.
Utilizing active listening, knowledge of legal requirements, and creative problem solving, EOL Doulas are able to provide comfort and satisfaction in the following ways:
WHY AN END OF LIFE DOULA?
When a person is dying from a chronic illness, generally someone plays the role of doula by default. But a few facts are worth considering:
An EOL Doula helps create a plan for the dying and their families tailored to individual needs, illness prognosis, family circumstances, previous estate planning, and religious observances (or none). This will be the primary focus of the Dying Your Way portal access.
A doula will be available throughout each stage of transition as much as medically and legally possible, and also as executive functions change. The priority is always meeting the dying person’s physical needs, supporting their psychological well-being, and carrying out their personal death plan.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When should you employ an End of Life Doula?
When a diagnosis is given that is, or could be, terminal. Early contact allows time to create a plan and act on it. An EOL Doula supports a peaceful and sacred transition at every stage from diagnosis to death.
What if I’m not ready to stop treatment? Could I still benefit from an End of Life Doula?
Absolutely. Early planning delivers more peace and less stress when it is needed most. Frequently, an individual will continue curative treatments in the hope of full recovery. A good EOL Doula will provide support to request palliative care along with conventional treatment. Now it is becoming more common to combine both to allow for better quality of life outcomes.
How does the End of Life Doula role fit with the family dynamic?
The dying person is the primary focus. The doula is there to educate and advocate as an unbiased third party to support the family to focus on the dying’s wishes. The doula can establish a peaceful environment to lift up the entire family.
Does an End of Life Doula charge a fee?
Dying Your Way certified EOL Doulas are independent contractors. Fees may be hourly for consultations or calculated on a ‘whole of service’ basis. Individual fees are listed in 5 available packages:
During the individual’s initial, free 30 minute consultation appropriate next steps will be considered based on needs and ability to pay.
For more information about
our DYW End-of-Life Death Literacy Training