“To be among the dying & to know it, that is another word for love.”
— Carvell Wallace
support
As an end-of-life doula (also called a “death doula” or “death midwife”), I offer non-medical, holistic support to individuals, their family / caregivers and hospice team as they navigate the dying process. I provide emotional and practical assistance to facilitate a more peaceful and informed transition for both the dying person and their loved ones. My assistance includes, and is not limited to:
Practical Assistance & Caregiver Reprieve
Educate caregivers of the signs and stages of dying
Coach caregivers and reinforce how to care for their loved one, from brief changes to medication tracking
Compassionate support and check-ins for caregivers
Observe and note overall state, pain level, needs, etc., to relay to caregivers and hospice team
Provide practical solutions for immediate needs
Help maintain a safe, functional space
Holistic Care
Discover and work towards creating the setting and experience envisioned at the end of life, while actively dying, and after death
Gently explore the meaning of life and death through client-led conversations
Compassionately listen and hold space for external processing of life review, unresolved issues and intense emotions
Advocate for client wishes and support
Help ease pain, fear, and anticipatory grief with practices like guided meditation, visualization, music, “favorite things”, reading / discussion of spiritual / religious / non-religious values, suitable massage (I am also a licensed massage therapist) & connective touch, aromatherapy and breath work
Near & After Death
Routine check-ins by phone / in person
Hold sacred space for the dying and their family, during and after death
Help plan and organize the death bed vigil
Assist in notifying hospice / friends and family of death
Advise and guide how loved ones may bathe / anoint and care for the body near or after death
Discuss best practices for social media communication of death / obituary
Educate and prepare for a loved one’s body to be cared for safely for a home funeral or family goodbyes prior to funeral home transport
Support with the mortuary / funeral home transfer and visitation
Local Resources & Information of Interest*
Advanced Directives & Legal Support
VSED (Voluntarily Stopping Eating & Drinking)
Funeral Homes & Disposition Options
Arrangements for Care & Rehoming of Pets
Green Burials/Private Property Burials
Grief Support
Home Funerals & Living Funerals (also known as Celebrations of Life)
Home Organization
Preferred Hospice Provider List
*list is not exhaustive
location
My in-person support is available to the greater Northwest San Antonio area. Most end of life support and services are available remotely as a tele-doula, communicating via Zoom, FaceTime, phone and text. Medicare does not cover end-of-life doula services. Pricing is offered at both hourly and package rates, and a sliding scale exists to make support available to most families.