A Living Doula provides compassionate, non-medical support and comfort to individuals and their loved ones facing a life-limiting illness. A Living Doula addresses the whole person—emotionally, spiritually, and practically—by offering resources, promoting dignity, facilitating difficult conversations, and advocating for their needs.
Facing a life-limiting diagnosis is often sudden and overwhelming. Most people and their families aren’t prepared for this challenging transition, which can leave you unsure of what to expect, what questions to ask, or what options are available. It involves not only logistical planning but also addressing emotional, physical, and spiritual needs..
Managing these aspects on your own can be time-consuming, costly, and stressful—precious time you’d likely prefer to spend with your loved ones. Often, you may not realize what you need until it’s too late. A Living Doula provides support throughout the process, offers answers and guidance, and helps plan every step. This reduces confusion, fear, and burden, allowing you to focus on what truly matters with your loved ones.
Yes, even with legal documents in place, a Living Doula is valuable because this period of life involves more than just logistics. The emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects are often overlooked, and managing them can be overwhelming for both the person with a life-limiting illness and their loved ones. A Living Doula provides essential support and guidance, helping to address these aspects while taking on difficult tasks, so you and your loved ones can focus on what truly matters. Additionally, a doula serves as an unbiased companion and liaison to facilitate important discussions about fears, concerns, and wishes.
The main difference is in the kind of support provided.
Palliative and hospice nurses focus on medical care, managing symptoms, and addressing clinical needs. Due to constraints like reimbursement structures and high patient ratios, they often have limited time to spend with each patient and family, concentrating mainly on medical aspects.
Time and support are crucial during any major life transition. A Living Doula is here to provide emotional, spiritual, and practical support, taking the time to address the many needs of you and your loved ones.
With a background in nursing, I bring an understanding of healthcare processes that complements the care provided by palliative and hospice teams.
My goal as a Living Doula is to enhance your family’s experience by reducing stress and fear and ensuring that you and your loved one are fully supported throughout this journey.
My background as a registered nurse working on the neurology unit, emergency room, and at home/in facility hospice allows me to assist you and your loved ones in navigating and understanding the healthcare system and medical terms. I can help you make informed decisions and ask the right questions. Being a nurse has taught me how to advocate and support patients and their loved ones in the way that they need. Having worked with several families over the years, I can help facilitate everyone working together towards accomplishing you and your loved one’s goals.
Being certified as a doula is not required, although I chose to obtain my certification to better serve my clients.
I am also certified as a Life Transition Coach, which allows me to emotionally support and guide you or your loved ones to move forward during the overwhelming transition.
You can contact me at any time after you or your loved ones are initially diagnosed with a life-limiting illness with limited treatment options available and want additional support and guidance throughout the journey.
You may also want to reach out if you're in good health and wish to proactively prepare. Doing so can help prevent future emotional and financial stress for your loved ones.
Services are not covered by insurance. Although as I have experienced, many patients and their loved ones find doulas an important service to be used alongside with palliative or hospice care. I have been told several times “I didn’t realize how much I needed you until after I had your support.”
