End-of-Life

palliative positioning

Palliative Positioning in Hospice Care

By Patty Brennan October 29, 2024

By Cindy Spence Tips for Getting Clients Comfortable in Bed at the End of Life Palliative positioning has the power to reduce a pain score dramatically, and it’s a skill that anyone can learn. As a massage therapist working in hospice care, I’ve learned that most of what I do to help people is very…

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End-of-Life Doula Scope of Practice

Medical Aid in Dying, End-of-Life Doulas, and the Doula Scope of Practice

By Patty Brennan May 16, 2024

By Patty Brennan Recently, I was conducting a webinar for end-of-life doulas (EOLDs) when someone in the audience shared that Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) clients were her specialty and that she travels to other states to “do it.” As MAiD was not the theme of our webinar, I did not pursue questioning her as to whether she…

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navigating healthcare system

Navigating the Healthcare System: Coaching Clients through the Maze ~ July Member Webinar

By Patty Brennan July 20, 2022

With Bonnie Blachly Helping clients navigate the healthcare system to ensure they receive the best health care possible is of utmost importance, especially when facing a life-limiting or life-ending condition. Multiple doctors and other disciplines may be involved. Helping your client develop trust in their doctors is an important aspect of support provided by an…

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mentoring for doulas

Is mentoring available for doulas?

By Patty Brennan June 17, 2022

Are you a newly trained doula? Have you ever wished you could be a fly on the wall and observe an experienced, professional doula at work? Perhaps watch how she/he handles questions during a new client interview, or observe interactions with medical personnel or hospice staff (especially when those interactions are trending adversarial)? It makes…

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balanced caregiving

Balanced Caregiving ~ March Webinar

By Patty Brennan March 23, 2022

With author Ellie Atherton. Don’t let your energy well go dry! Many of us know how wonderful it feels to help others, and that deep satisfaction is what encourages us to continue giving. But if you are giving without refueling your own energy stores, this may leave you exhausted and limit your ability to be fully…

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How to Choose a Doula Training

By Patty Brennan February 18, 2022

How to choose a doula training when there are so many options? Which is best? Just as no one doula can be the right fit for every family, no one doula training can be the best fit for every prospective doula. Before you get lost in the Sea of Choices and are tempted to give…

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calling to become a doula

Your Calling to Become a Doula ~ January 2022 Newsletter

By Patty Brennan January 2, 2022

Do you have a calling to become a doula? Do you feel comfortable in the sacred space of birthing and dying? Do you intuit just what the birthing mother, new family, or dying person and their loved ones need as they move through these tender, hard, and profound moments? Do you feel drawn to witness, to be…

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Dementia at End of Life ~ Webinar

By Patty Brennan November 18, 2021

With Lori Smith & Patty Brennan Lori shares practical tips for doulas and other caregivers in the art of support for a person with dementia at end of life. Topics include: The EOLD/caregiver’s role in identifying pain Communication challenges in expressing pain Observing and identifying signs of pain Creating a comfortable environment 4 main triggers…

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tips for death doulas

Tips for Death Doulas: How to Support the Dying ~ Webinar Recording

By Patty Brennan September 17, 2021

Webinar with Ellie Atherton, author of Stepping Stones: Following a Pathway to End of Life Ellie Atherton, a long-time hospice nurse with the heart of a doula, shares tips for death doulas that include her techniques for honoring each person’s unique experience of dying. Ellie shares that she “got into trouble” early in her hospice…

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Pregnancy Loss

Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss—Webinar Recording

By Patty Brennan July 22, 2021

With Author Amy Wright Glenn Pregnancy loss is a special kind of loss. Doulas of all specialties will inevitably encounter it and will, no doubt, benefit from Amy’s wisdom and graceful modeling of how to “hold space.” Join Amy as she explores: What does it mean to hold space? What does it mean to companion…

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