{"id":4362,"date":"2019-04-23T05:19:32","date_gmt":"2019-04-23T13:19:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.imortuary.com\/blog\/?p=4362"},"modified":"2019-03-19T06:57:27","modified_gmt":"2019-03-19T14:57:27","slug":"what-is-an-end-of-life-doula-and-do-i-need-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.imortuary.com\/blog\/what-is-an-end-of-life-doula-and-do-i-need-one\/","title":{"rendered":"What is an End-of-Life Doula, and Do I Need One?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"What<\/a>

What is an End-of-Life Doula, and Do I Need One?<\/p><\/div>\n

Most people associate the word and profession<\/span> doula<\/span><\/i> with the birthing process. Traditionally, a doula is a non-medical holistic professional who assists women in labor and delivery—providing emotional support, training and education, physical assistance, and services to the family. Not every woman who gives birth uses a doula, but many women who want a more natural birth process prefer to have these professionals at their side rather than more formal (and seemingly impersonal) medical professionals. <\/span><\/p>\n

In terms of palliative care, an end-of-life doula plays a similar role. The term <\/span>doula<\/span><\/i> comes from the ancient Greek word for “woman’s servant,” which is why they are so commonly associated with birth and motherhood. Throughout history, the role of caregiver to the elderly has often fallen to women. Thus, it makes sense that the role extends to providing services during the transition to death.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Does an End-of-Life Doula Do?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

An end-of-life doula provides education, resources, referrals, and support to the entire family as they approach the end of a loved one’s life. It does not matter whether death is likely to occur in a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years—their role is to provide the necessary support to help everyone deal with both the physical and emotional sides to death. <\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on the situation, this might mean:<\/span><\/p>\n