An End-of-Life Doula provides compassionate non-medical care and support to the terminally ill and their community, directly engaged by the dying or their loved ones. Through presence, guidance, advocacy, education, coaching, and companionship, doulas enhance quality of life and ease fears surrounding death. They act as a stabilizing force for both the patient and their family during this transition, with many services available remotely for accessibility from any location.
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The purpose of an end of life doula is simple: to bring comfort and support to terminally ill patients. The goal is to help the patient feel the best that they can for as long as possible and greatly improve the quality of their life that remains.
How is End-of-Life Doula care different from Hospice Care?
End-of-Life Doula care complements hospice by providing additional non-medical support throughout the dying process. While hospice offers holistic medical, spiritual, social, and practical assistance, doula care extends beyond these boundaries. Doulas offer consistent, flexible presence and support from preparation to bereavement, addressing non-medical requests, projects, and needs to ensure a more holistic end-of-life experience.
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Hospice and the care they offer do have limits. This is where engaging a death doula can be helpful.
Hello, I'm Rachel Massey, an end-of-life doula. In a society where death is often avoided, I embrace it as an integral part of life. With compassion and understanding, I educate individuals facing terminal illnesses and offer unwavering support to both them and their families throughout the journey of dying, death, and beyond.
After a fulfilling 29-year career in education, I have transitioned fully to this deeply meaningful calling. My journey began at the age of 12, when I witnessed my grandfather's battle with cancer and his peaceful passing at home. This experience ignited my passion for ensuring that individuals have the autonomy and support they deserve as they approach the end of life.
With a blend of educational expertise and personal dedication, I am committed to guiding others through the challenges of facing mortality. Together, let's bring comfort, choice, and compassion to the end-of-life experience.
My Approach
My approach to end-of-life support is holistic, centered on honoring your individual goals and values. Through personalized discussions, we will collaboratively create and write a vigil plan that reflects your wishes and values, ensuring a meaningful and personalized experience.
Additionally, we engage in the life review process, facilitating conversations that illuminate your life journey and legacy, fostering purpose and awareness of your impact. By providing end-of-life planning and initiating the vigil plan, I aim to bring empowerment and peace to you and your loved ones during this emotional time.
My goal is to emphasize celebration and meaning, guiding you towards fulfillment and closure in your unique journey on earth. I support both you and your loved ones throughout this process, and when death is imminent, I assist with initiating the vigil plan to ensure comfort and support during the transition.
Welcome to Graceful Passing's Support and Services
Initial Consultation
The Initial Consultation marks the beginning of the end-of-life journey. In this complimentary 30-minute session, we prioritize understanding the wants, needs, and wishes of our clients and their loved ones. Through open dialogue and compassionate listening, we collaborate to tailor our services to align with each individual's unique preferences and goals. This session sets the foundation for a personalized and meaningful end-of-life experience.
Companioning Support
My role is to provide unwavering presence and support, fostering meaningful connections and enriching quality life moments for all involved in the journey. Through compassionate guidance and empathy, I aim to facilitate closure for unresolved issues, promoting healing and peace during this significant chapter of life. My goal is to offer comfort and companionship, ensuring that individuals feel supported and understood throughout their end-of-life journey.
Advanced Directives
I offer dedicated support to clients navigating the crucial process of end-of-life care planning. This includes assisting individuals in formalizing advanced care directives, outlining their medical treatment preferences. Additionally, I help designate trusted health care proxies for decision-making.
Beyond documentation, I facilitate open communication with loved ones, ensuring understanding and alignment with the client's wishes. By fostering these discussions, I promote clarity and peace of mind for all involved parties during this important life planning stage.
Life Review and Vigil Planning
I offer a holistic approach to end-of-life support, centered on honoring my clients' individual goals and visions during their vigil. Through personalized discussions, we craft a vigil plan (Active Dying) that reflects their wishes and values.
Delving into the life review process, I facilitate conversations that illuminate my clients' life journey and legacy, fostering purpose and awareness of their impact. By providing end-of-life planning and initiating the vigil plan, I ensure empowerment and peace for clients and loved ones during this emotional time. My aim is to emphasize celebration and meaning, guiding individuals towards fulfillment and closure in their unique journey on earth.
Medical Aid in Dying
I provide comprehensive support to individuals in the metro area of Denver, Colorado, empowering them to make informed decisions about their end-of-life care. As a trained advocate for medical aid in dying, I guide clients through the process and offer compassionate support to patients and their families during their final hours. With specialized training, I am equipped to prepare and administer medication, ensuring a dignified and peaceful passage for those who choose this option.
Early Grief and Reprocessing
Approximately 3-4 weeks after the loss, I facilitate sessions with family members and those present during the dying experience to support understanding and emotional processing.
Through reprocessing, the aim is to help individuals comprehend and come to terms with their experiences. We address emotional and mental impacts, providing a safe space for reflection and healing.
I also provide additional resources for ongoing grief support and mourning, ensuring access to necessary tools. This phase marks the conclusion of my doula work, offering closure and laying a foundation for continued healing and growth.
Services Continued
Services can be Individualized or Packaged
Services can be Individualized or Packaged
Services can be Individualized or Packaged
End- of-Life support complements the care provided by family members, friends, as well as palliative and hospice professionals. By engaging in my services, individuals can prepare for practicalities, enhance comfort, and facilitate a personalized end-of-Life journey. Whether days, weeks, months, or even years before the end of life, my su
End- of-Life support complements the care provided by family members, friends, as well as palliative and hospice professionals. By engaging in my services, individuals can prepare for practicalities, enhance comfort, and facilitate a personalized end-of-Life journey. Whether days, weeks, months, or even years before the end of life, my support ensures that necessary tasks are addressed, providing peace of mind. This vital preparation work for death is not bound by time constraints and can commence whenever the individual feels ready to embark on this journey.
Standard Hourly Rate: $70
Services can be Individualized or Packaged
Services can be Individualized or Packaged
With a foundation in empathy, professionalism, and respect, my services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, recognizing that every journey is distinct. I believe that everyone in our community, regardless of financial status, should have access to quality end-of-life care.
If you're interested in receiving these servi
With a foundation in empathy, professionalism, and respect, my services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, recognizing that every journey is distinct. I believe that everyone in our community, regardless of financial status, should have access to quality end-of-life care.
If you're interested in receiving these services but find it difficult to afford my standard hourly rate, I provide a Sliding Scale based on need and would be happy to discuss your specific circumstances during our initial consultation. Your comfort and support during this time are my top priorities.
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