12/05/2022
Welcome to my page! Most of you are probably thinking what in the world is a death doula, allow me to share what it is and how this came to be.
I have worked in healthcare since 2011, helping others is my passion. The majority of my career has been in the hospital setting; a few years in skilled nursing homes and currently I work Prn as a COTA in home health.
Since week one I have been drawn to a special group of patients, the hospice patients. I’ve never known why but I have a deep compassion for them. There’s something so heartfelt easing the fear of dying, holding their hand to put them at ease, putting a smile on their face knowing it could be their last. I have had multiple occasions where patients have said to me “you were sent to me” just hours before they passed. I used to think it was pain medication but now I know it wasn’t.
Over the years my love for hospice has never gone away, which brings me to now. One day about 1.5 years ago I was googling some things and the words death doula appeared and you know I’m always curious; so I opened it and began reading. Two months later, I became certified! Shortly after; covid hit our area and well we all know how that went, and next thing I knew almost 2 years had gone by.
Not a week went by I would not hear from my patients the same questions “who will support us”, “how do I do that?” “What is a medical proxy”? , “how do I care for him/her alone”?
Caring for a family member with a terminal Illness is extremely stressful and overwhelming, for the patient even more so, most feel as though they are not heard or understood what their wishes are.
Pathways Death Doula Services provides that support. I provide non-medical emotional, psychological and spiritual support to the patient and their families.
This is what’s coming! Many larger areas already have started this and I am excited to open this journey into our area.
