FAQs
Answers to your Questions
-What is a death doula?
A death doula is a trained professional who provides emotional and practical support to individuals and families facing end-of-life issues. They help clients to navigate the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of dying, and provide comfort and guidance throughout the process.
-How can a death doula help me?
A death doula can provide a range of services, including advance care planning, legacy projects, bereavement support, and end-of-life doula services. They work closely with clients to create a customized plan that meets their unique needs and wishes, and provide emotional and practical support throughout the dying process.
-How do I choose a death doula?
When choosing a death doula, it is important to look for someone who is trained and experienced in end-of-life care. You should also feel comfortable with the person and trust that they will provide compassionate and respectful care.
-What is the difference between a hospice nurse and a Death/End of Life Doula?
Time and roles. The hospice nurse is the medical manager of the terminal patient with limited time at the bedside. The doula is the non-medical professional that is the eyes and ears of the case with no time limitations. The doula alerts the hospice team to any changes in the patients presentation so that the hospice nurse can assess and update the care plan for maximum daily comfort of the patient (the goal of hospice.)
-What is the difference between a hospice volunteer and a Death/End of Life Doula?
An End of Life Doula can do everything EXCEPT give a medication and do any form of medical treatment or wound care. The hospice volunteer needs to follow Medicare regulations that prohibit any form of touching, moving, feeding, bathing, toileting etc. The hospice volunteer in most US states is limited to a maximum weekly bedside visit of 4 hours. The average volunteer visit is 1-2 hours a week. This does not provide the adjunct support that patients and families so desperately need at this stressful time.
-Does insurance cover the services of a Death/End of Life Doula?
No. End of Life Doulas are private pay. All “companion” services such as Home Instead, Visiting Angels, Comfort Keepers etc. are all private pay. Most End of Life Doulas have a sliding scale payment option
-What is Gentle Solace?
Gentle Solace is a death doula service that provides compassionate care and support to individuals and families during the end-of-life journey.
-Does Gentle Solace provide services to people of all ages?
Yes, Gentle Solace provides services to individuals of all ages who are experiencing the end-of-life journey.
-How does Gentle Solace support families during the end-of-life journey?
Gentle Solace provides a range of services, including advance care planning, end-of-life education, vigil and ceremony planning, grief support, and more. We work closely with our clients to create a customized care plan that meets their unique needs and preferences. We also provide emotional support and guidance to help families navigate the complexities of the end-of-life journey.
-What makes Gentle Solace unique?
Gentle Solace is unique in that we offer a holistic approach to end-of-life care, with a focus on emotional, spiritual, and practical support. I am dedicated to providing compassionate care to individuals and families in need. Working with a small amount of clients at one time allows me to ensure everyone gets the time and care they need and deserve.
-Can an End of Life Doula give any medications? What about over the counter medications?
No. A End of Life Doula never gives any medication whether prescription or over the counter.
-Can an End of Life Doula help make funeral arrangements for me?
Yes. An End of Life Doula has a ”scope of practice” that includes everything from the time of a terminal diagnosis to helping patients and families as the illness progresses, to the vigil, time of death, after death care, understanding and honoring grief and finally recover of life after loss.