What Support an End-of-Life Doula Provides

My life experiences encompass over 23 years of holistic, compassionate care and support as a medical advocate, primary caregiver (Sandwich Generation Mom), cancer survivor and volunteer. I became a certified End-of-Life Doula through IAP College in April 2020. I specialize in creating Directive and Final Wishes plans, creating personalized Legacy Love Letters™, providing Caregiver Respite, and Bereavement Support. I'm a 15 year volunteer on the Patient and Family Partnership Council (PFAC), Acute Care, with Cleveland Medical Center, University Hospitals main campus in Cleveland, Ohio. My life experience coupled with my certification has strengthened my understanding of Best Practices to better support and guide those individuals and their families walking this ever-changing, life journey. I look forward to meeting and helping you navigate these challenging life events with an open heart, compassion, guidance and support.

First and foremost, I am a holistic, heart-centered caregiver. I provide non-medical, compassionate care, support and guidance to seriously and chronically ill individuals and their loved ones. I have walked the caregivers path for over 20 years and experienced many of the challenges faced by those who are ill and those family and friends who support them. This journey should not be traveled alone, my goal is to make the experience less stressful and more peaceful for everyone involved. It would be my honor to provide support to you and your loved ones before or during this challenging time.

In May 2021 I completed my LGBT Cultural Competency Training Coursework to become a certified SAGECare Platinum level provider. I completed this training in order to gain a better understanding of and how to purposefully support, guide, and educate culturally diverse Seniors and their loved ones during serious illness and end of life care. I invite you to visit www.sageusa.org to learn more about this amazing organization, their goals and programs which support diverse peoples in our local US communities. 

In 2018 I completed online certification coursework through The University of Tasmania, WICKING Dementia Research and Education Centre. This seven week course focused on understanding multiple forms of dementia, Best Practices how to work with and care for people challenged with this condition and how to support families and loved ones who are caring for someone with dementia. The Understanding Dementia MOOC was developed by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre based in the College of Health and Medicine at the University of Tasmania. This world-leading online course is free, easily accessible and available to everyone with an interest in understanding all areas of dementia. If you want to learn more about their free course offerings visit  mooc.utas.edu.au/course/23 to learn more. This course helped educate me to be a better caregiver for those suffering with dementia and Alzheimer's and I encourage you to check it out if you are caring for a loved one with these conditions. I firmly believe knowledge is power and being proactive is the best course of action in helping a loved one living with this condition.