End of Life Doula
Are you the person who likes to have everything organised? From what legal, medical and personal documents are necessary or beneficial, to ideas for a wake.
Are you the person who still has wishes and dreams, for yourself or others, that you would like to address before it is too late?
Are you the person who does not want to leave behind chaos that your family will have to deal with once you are gone? Do you want to make the decisions now so that they will have the emotional space to be with you when you need them most.
Be prepared; live or give those last dreams where possible; allow your family to be able to support you at the end. Gift them a bereavement where they have spent quality time with you and supported you the best way possible.
Whilst working as a Transpersonal Art Therapist specialising in aged care and dementia care I have found a path to end of life doula work. This chapter of my life grows with each experience I have, with my knowledge and observations of how people communicate their needs and desires.
It is my honour to be included in this most personal and emotional of times as families and friends surround a dying person offering their love and support. There is the gift of growth and healing here for all concerned.
The training I have received from Preparing The Way has enabled me to offer knowledge and the ability to ask the tough questions. My life experience brings the compassion and care that is needed in this role. This can be in the form of help with finding and completing necessary and beneficial paperwork; guidance through end of life planning and co-ordination, spiritual/emotional support and a calm presence throughout the dying process.
This service may be for you or for someone you know. Parts of it could be completed well in advance of a life limiting diagnosis. Having decisions made in advance gives confidence to the family to be able to make the right call if they are required to do this and doctors the ability to offer the right medical interventions or none as requested.
My aim is to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support to empower each individual involved to create and benefit from the sacred space of this end of life journey.
Having the housekeeping (documents) out of the way we can open conversations about your wishes, your goals, limited time, forgiveness, saying goodbye, sharing love, planning how to spend remaining time, reviewing life, thinking about who you are, understanding your legacy, connecting with the important people in your life. Navigating the conversations that need to be had with those who are being left behind. How they can be a vital part of this experience to their benefit in their bereavement. Stepping through these conversations allows everyone to be on the same page.
The end of life doula role is non-medical, person-centred and holistic. It works alongside palliative care and medical care to provide the best possible outcome whether at home, in hospice or hospital.
I can be a gatherer of information, I can offer advance life care planning, I can be the facilitator of your wishes, or be at your side at the end. Your choice, and my privilege to be of assistance.
Let me show you that with support you have the power to transform your death into a loving and healing experience for you and those who surround you.
My Qualifications/Experience
- End of Life Doula, “Preparing the Way” with Helen Callanan
- Transpersonal Art Therapist specialising in aged and dementia care
- Public Liability Insurance
- Police & Working with Children checks
– Robin Catalano
