Important Information
Domain of Care represents an essential part of the End-of-Life Doula’s practice. Our role is to work with you and walk with you as you are experiencing illness progression by providing compassionate care within the four domains of care (Legacy, Death Planning, Vigil, and Grief). Scroll down this page to briefly learn about your options, which we will consider together, ensuring your dignity and control of all aspects of our work together.
Domain of Care
Planning
My role is to discuss your options, what you might expect during your unique experience, and to determine your wishes. I can then assist you as we create the best detailed approach for yourself, taking care of details as you direct.
• Advance Care Planning- health care choices from substitute decision makers, through to choices around resuscitation orders, making sure your last will and testament is in order for your loved ones.
• Booklets and documents are available for your use free of charge. Simply ask if you prefer to do this part yourself, or in conjunction with your End-of-Life doula.
• Funeral planning- often this is a great gift for your family, as they will feel this blessing of pre-planning acutely during the days following your death.
• Support you while you discuss your preferences with your family in these and other planning processes
Legacy Work
We all want to leave our legacy- a lifetime spent and thinking now about what is our purpose, and who are we deep down in our hearts.
By considering your legacy, and gifts of love, you can create a beautiful memory for your loved ones.
• Organize home and items for giving
• Write your memories and stories or tape them, as suitable
• Create a music list for your enjoyment, and theirs after your death
• Plan a trip for your loved ones to follow- your best adventure remembered
• Consider clothing or other collectibles and how to create something wonderful (your favorite fur becoming a doll for children/grandchildren)
• Write letters for important events for children or grandchildren (open when 18, graduation, marriage, first child etc.)
• Organize photos and cards for loved ones specific to each person
Toward the End
We are together in this journey, and a vigil is a supportive way to accompany someone during their final hours, it's not a one-size-fits-all approach. The most important thing is to be present, compassionate, and respectful of the your wishes and needs, recognizing that death is a unique and very personal experience.
• Planning your time with thoughts of music, location (home or hospital), scents, who to invite, comfort measures you wish, what you want to wear, quiet and solitude, or togetherness, etc.
• Sharing your wishes- knowing you can change your mind at anytime.
• Assist family members in knowing what to expect
• Hold space for loved ones to express themselves regarding your loss
• Process and timing for calling the doctor/funeral home, and documents to assist in execution of your plan
• Teach loves ones to prepare body if you wish
• Advocate for your and loved one’s rights and wishes
• Work with healthcare team as necessary
• Emotional support for you and your loved ones
Grief Support and Companioning
Dealing with loss can be overwhelming, and in the early days of prognosis, you may be feeling difficult emotions.
End of Life Doulas are not counsellors, but we do walk with you during these times, and part of our training is to provide support for you and your family during planning, vigil, and after death.
• Hold space for you to express yourself regarding your situation as you talk it through
• Hold space for loved ones to express themselves during and after your passing
• Emotional support for you and family
• Involve spiritual support as needed and requested
• Family conversations and ceremony afterward, as needed
• Referral to appropriate community resources as needed
Limits of Practice
As an End-of-Life Doula, we acknowledge that time may be the greatest contributor to Limits of Practice.
An End-of-Life Doula does not perform clinical or medical tasks (including but not limited to such things as taking blood pressure or temperature, checking heart rates, performing invasive procedures/interventions or post-mortem clinical care, for example: removing catheters, subcutaneous sites, pacemakers etc.). Where possible, all informational support given will be supported with evidence-based research and qualified resources. As your End-of-Life Doula, I will provide information on benefits, risks, and alternatives rather than a personal perspective on all matters. The doula does not diagnose or prescribe treatments and are to refer to a qualified professional wherever and whenever possible.
Where I have additional training in areas outside of the doula’s scope of practice, I will to clearly inform you of such training, the limits of my abilities to offer knowledge and or practice in this area and that any additional service offered is separate from my training as a Death Doula and End-of-Life Care Specialist.