Anna Adams, death doula and founder of International Doula Life Movement, is educating her community about how doulas support patients and families dealing with serious illness. She’s been a volunteer, a CNA, and now she’s working with hospice agencies as a death doula. Doulas bring a special set of skills to the care of hospice patients. They support, educate, and guide patients (and caregivers) through the experiences at the end of life. Doulas are also part of advance care planning conversations.

Exploring spiritual beliefs and rituals are part of doula work as well. Doulas help those who are dying to identify what they believe and engage in those beliefs the way the patient wants. In support of the family, doulas might also conduct rituals while someone is dying, or even after death. Any support that’s provided is guided by the patient or family. Doulas are flexible in how they provide care.

Want to know more about doulas, or connect with others who are doing death doula work? Visit internationaldoulalifemovement.com.

If you’re interested in becoming a certified death doula through IDLM, click here.

Access all the courses that IDLM provides here.

See all the events that IDLM is offering by clicking here.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to [email protected].

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Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network, along with a host of other caregiving podcasts by clicking here.