Death Doula

[crazyheart]

Because of the hospital cuts and removing spiritual care workers, I have heard that

people are calling on Death Doulas They walk with folk to death and through it.

Anybody know about them? Are they the same as palliative care workers. @Birthstone

I have never heard of them before. I am tagging Birthstone because she is a birth doula.

 

[Carolla]

I have heard of them, but not yet worked with any. I think there are special training and certification programmes for those who wish to practice. A google search turns up lots of interesting links.

Are they the same as palliative care workers.

Doulas may be palliative care workers, but not all palliative care workers are doulas. In my experience, palliative care staff are usually registered medical professionals who have taken additional courses to work specifically with people as they journey through the last chapters of life. Mostly I have met physicians and nurses on palliative care teams, occasionally a social worker. In a hospice situation, there quite likely would also be PSWs who are palliative care workers.

I'm not sure that the rise of death doulas relates to hospitals cuts or lack of access to spiritual care staff - although those things are certainly happening. I have a sense that it may be more in relation to growing acceptance of death in our culture, and interest in having 'a good death' so to speak.

 

[Pinga]

Hey friend is one. Took a a number of courses.

 

[crazyheart]

pinga,what does she do as a death doula?

 

[ChemGal]

Is this a regulated profession in any way, or can anyone just decide that they are a death doula?

 

[paradox3]

It seems to be relatively new . . . not a regulated profession from what I can see.

 

[crazyheart]

There is training involved. I believe

 

[Carolla]

don't believe it's 'regulated' but there is a certification process for those who wish to pursue it. Don't suppose there is any protected title or any such thing.

 

[ChemGal]

There is training involved. I believe

While there is training available, from what P3 and Carolla understand there's nothing to stop someone from just working as a death doula without any training at all. I know this has been an issue with some other professions, it's really up to an individual to look into what type of background someone has before choosing to use their services.

 

[ChemGal]

Actually wondering if that's the case with doulas in general.

 

[paradox3]

Actually wondering if that's the case with doulas in general.

Probably.

 

[crazyheart]

I wish @Birthstone would come. She is a birth doula.

 

[Birthstone]

Whoosh.... I heard you call my name dear Crazyheart

A Birth Doula could possibly be someone who has zero training in anything however, most nervous mothers are too picky to choose someone with no training. There are a few good long time organizations who take their work seriously and have a good system of courses, con-ed, supervision etc for a certification process. I was certified as a labour doula, a childbirth educator, and trained as a high-risk antenatal doula (before birth), postpartum doula and lactation educator (not Lactation Consultant).

I have no idea about a Death Doula, except what I've read in the paper. My experience 'doula-ing' would suggest that a death doula has experience - has a body of knowledge about death and good resources to consider, has some sense of counselling/informed consent/walking with people, rather than bossing them around and knowing everything. They might know comfort measures - appropriate ways to soothe certain discomforts, but those would not be medical or intrusive in nature. They might understand family/cultural dynamics and medical processes for supporting/encouraging/suggesting healthy discussions etc. They would certainly have to respect and support the caregiver team, recognizing the boundaries and roles and times to step back, and times to offer assistance. My feeling is that such a support person could be a god-send to families. Sometimes they could be just superfluous, but particularly when medical & community care is really well integrated and attentive.

A good birth doula facilitates, smooths, offers info, quietly watches, physically supports and confidently suggests things for an educated, more confident, supported and team-based birth experience. A good doula knows which hat to put on and which ones to take off, and does so appropriately, based on contracts, agreements, and awareness.

Death Doulas are a fascinating concept, and my experience has made me curious and supportive of the idea. That said, I've been lucky enough to not have any reason to consider it more deeply than that.

 

[Luce NDs]

Doo La ... as do that and it'll be de ath of you that gets up ... thus a lot of folks with their r's up over love maqon domains ... in your aspirations perhaps ... them Maqon has some ancient deep understandings about alien spaces ...

 

[crazyheart]

Thank you Birthstone. It is so nice to see your name and that you answered my call. What a great

virtual world we live in. Live well. Crazyheart

 

[Pinga]

I spoke to my friend who is fighting the same cold as me, but, didn't have the luxury of sleep. She is really busy right now, but, may have time to pop in later to answer questions regarding thanatology.

She has many characteristics and background similair to @Birthstone in the church and I bet they would get along.

It also includes advocacy for the wishes of the individual dying, and understanding of the rules / regulations in our territory.
She has said that this accompaniment is much more common in the US and accepted.

 

[paradox3]

(not Lactation Consultant).

Personally, I had a nasty experience with a nurse who told me she was a lactation consultant. "My dear, I am a lactation consultant." she told me when I disagreed with her advice.

Will never forget the next nurse who told me to do what I thought was best. It was my second baby and I was objecting to the lactation consultant's advice to feed my babe using the "football hold".

 

[KayTheCurler]

I have heard of death doulas, but don't really know anything about them. If I needed one I would want to know about training and experience - just as I would for a midwife/birth doula. Sometimes these roles pop up before government regulators start thinking about the situation. Last time I checked ANYONE could call themselves a Life Coach or Personal Trainer. I know of a Personal Trainer who actually injured clients as she has insufficient knowledge about older bodies . Yup - going harder and faster is A way to get fit in your prime years. Quite dangerous later in life.

 

[Mrs.Anteater]

I would think it is a sign of a need independent from church communities, a secular broader job description that is client centered. More choices is a positive development.

 

[ninj]

I tried to find a graduate degree programme in Thanatology (the study of death and dying) that I came across while browsing a few years ago. Can't find it now. It sounded very interesting. In addition to the usual palliative care courses, it explored cultural, historical and philosophical areas...everything. I know a death doula likely hasn't studied all this stuff. I wonder what could be more distressing than to have an earnest, cheery baby cooing over you while you face the Big One. Personally, I'd rather not. And what if you're not "spiritual"?