End-of-life doulas will:
Accept that death and dying are normal, expected, difficult parts of life.
Have a foundational knowledge of the physiology of death, symptoms associated with terminal illnesses, and techniques for alleviating suffering.
Provide non-medical, nonjudgmental emotional/spiritual support and soothing physical comfort measures.
Cultivate inner calm and peacefulness, even in the face of chaos and intensity.
Promote informed consent for each client.
Help gather relevant information and connect clients to beneficial resources.
Assist clients with living their days to the fullest - developing wishes for care together, arranging visits, and encouraging the preservation of energy for what is most important.
Support a client with the purposeful work of life reflections, storytelling, and legacy projects.
Trust in the inherent wisdom of each person to decide and discover their own best path.
Companion rather than treat.
Empower and encourage a client’s friends and family members to operate within their comfort zones.
Feel comfortable sitting vigil and respectfully assisting in after death care as directed by a client’s family.
Provide a continued presence, when requested, during the initial grieving period.
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