“We are all just walking each other home” – Ram Dass
What is an end-of-life doula?
Doula is a Greek word meaning a woman of service.
The goal of the doula is to provide emotional and spiritual support at this deeply personal and intense time. At its core, this model of care is about connection and service
In the last 50 years,the term doula came into use again in the US referring to a person who guided a woman through the birthing process.
The end-of-life doula approach is based on that birth doula model.
The doula can begin services at any point beginning when a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness to when the end of life is imminent.
The doula, using her experience and education, comes alongside the person to provide support through the entire process. The support may look like:
- A safe space for the person to openly talk about death and what they believe comes after life.
- Developing a transition plan: how do the final days look and feel based on the persons requests
- Incorporate/create rituals and traditions into the process
- Review the dying person’s life
- Emotional support for both the dying person and those involved
- Support during the early stages of grief
- Assists with end-of-life paperwork such as healthcare directives
The goal of the doula is to provide emotional and spiritual support at this deeply personal and intense time. At its core, this model of care is about connection and service.
Tina Marie
Being the primary caregiver for her mother in her last six weeks of her life had a profound and lasting impact on Tina Marie’s life. She always says it was one of the hardest things she has ever done but also the most rewarding.
After witnessing the care that the Hospice RN provided to her mother and the difference that it made not only on her mother’s life but in her role as the primary caregiver, she decided to make a career change. She went from being a child care provider, which she loved, to becoming an RN. She obtained her BSN at MSU-Mankato and went into nursing.
Initially starting her nursing career in the Emergency Department, Tina Marie has been a Hospice RN for the last 10 years providing end-of-life care to patients of all ages including children. She has also worked at Crescent Cove, a Hospice and Respite Home for chronically ill and terminally ill children in Minneapolis. For several years she was a licensed foster care parent providing a home for chronically ill and terminally ill children as well.
Tina Marie received her end-of-life doula training through INEDLA (International End Of Life Doula Association). She is also a death educator and funeral celebrant.
Since the experience with her mother, Tina Marie’s heart has always been with people nearing the end-of-life. Her desire is to provide support, comfort, peace, guidance – to walk alongside the men, women, and children who are at or nearing the point in their lives. To offer the sweet fragrance of hope.
- End of Life Doula Southern Minnesota Collaborative – Member
- NicBluCares – Advisory Board Member
- Community Wellness Panel – Founder and Presenter
- Crescent Cove – Volunteer
- ISD 77 – Volunteer
- The Bach Flower Remedies – Associate
Her desire is to provide support, comfort, peace, guidance – to walk along side the men, women, and children who are at or nearing the point in their lives. To offer the sweet fragrance of hope.
How we can help
Hope at Last Doula services will work with you to develop an individualized transition path based on your hopes and desires
Hope at Last Doula services will work with you to develop an individualized transition path based on your hopes and desires.
The path can include one, some, or all of the following, in addition to your specific requests:
- A safe space for the person to openly talk about death and what they believe comes after life.
- Developing a transition plan: how do the final days look and feel based on the persons requests
- Incorporate/create rituals and traditions into the process
- Review the dying person’s life
- Emotional support for both the dying person and those involved
- Support during the early stages of grief
- Assists with end-of-life paperwork such as healthcare directives
- Vigil support – sitting at the bedside in the last days to hours
Contact Hope at Last to set up a free informational meeting.
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