Whidbey's Good Death Doula

10/13/2022

Do you have people in your life that are on hospice? Did you know that having a Death Doula can help? Did you know that Whidbey Island has a Death Doula available? In the next few days and weeks I am hoping to bring some information to you all. I have been working as a Death Doula for nearly 16 years. I absolutely love what I do and how I help not only the dying paitent but their families too!

09/21/2022

Hello!

Its far past time I updated this page. I am hoping to be more active and share some good information with you all!
Thank you again for all those who have reached out to obtain services. I am so honored to be a part of your conversations and care team!

06/22/2022

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A DEATH DOULA?
End of Life Doulas, or EOLDs also called Death Doulas or Death Midwives, enrich the dying experience for patients, family members and friends, while strengthening the relationship between medical (the doctors, nurses, social workers) and non-medical support (the family or caretakers). We are trained professionals who provide assistance and guidance with holistic services to individuals and their families during transformative life changes.

Doula-client relationships engage the difficult and complex emotions while navigating the signs and symptoms of the dying process. An end of life care team is made up of multiple different professionals ranging from doctors, nurses, social workers, and End of Life Doulas to foster a culture of equity in order to facilitate a good death. We strive to be a support system for those who are terminally ill, elderly, or healthy and their families as they plan for their transition. A death doula's work ranges from logistical planning for the time before, during and after of death; conducting rituals or comforting practices; helping the dying person reflect on their life and values; and explaining the bodily functions of dying to caregivers.

Doulas are an active part of the Death Positive movement, a social and philosophical movement that encourages people to speak openly about death, dying, and everything in between. Death Positive seeks to eliminate the silence around death-related topics, decrease anxiety surrounding death, and dismantle the foundation of inequality, racism, and social marginalization at end of life.

06/09/2022

What is a Doula?
The term “doula” was formed in ancient Greek, meaning “a woman who serves.” Many are most familiar with birth doulas, trained professionals who provide therapeutic, emotional, physical, and educational support to women from the beginning of birth through the postpartum period. As the death positive and death empowerment movements continue to evolve and grow, we see an ever-increasing need for a doula at the end-of-life stage. Doulas are advocates and allies who provide continuous, compassionate, non-judgmental care and informational support. Overall, doulas are there when individuals face the two major transitions in life: birth and death.

12/03/2020

So it's that time once again that I am available for care giving jobs. I am a end of life care provider as of the past few years, but am educated in most aspects of caregiving. I am able to provide references upon request. So if you know anyone that is looking for a caregiver please have them contact me. If you need my phone number please dm me.

11/20/2020

WHEN A LOVED ONE PASSES...

When a loved one passes, do not worry. Weep, wail, scream, yes, honour their memory, but do not worry. They haven’t gone anywhere, strictly speaking. They have simply lost location and time. You can no longer pin them down, say 'there they are', find them in their materiality, seek them in your personal world. But you see, they were never tied to their bodies in the first place. Their arms, their legs, their brain, their fingers, their blood, their kidneys - these were not the things that defined them. You loved the physical, yes, you were attached to it, you expected it to continue, but it was not all of your love.

You are being called now to remember a deeper love, a universal love, a love that is not attached to form, a love that knows no bounds. A love that does not flee into past and future, but remains so very present as you go about your days. A love that does not depend on word nor place, that follows you wherever you go, that is inseparable from your very own presence, that whispers in your ear late at night... I AM HERE.

Do not search for your loved one in time nor space, friend, do not reach for them and find them absent. They are closer than all that. It will take a while to readjust to their formlessness, of course. You will be called to let go of dreams, yes, and there will be much pain to be felt, much grief to explore with courage and willingness. Get ready to break open for love! But, oh, the joy of discovering your loved one right where you left them! And the excitement of a relationship shattering open into the Infinite!

Know they cannot leave you! Know they never will!

For they are in your presence, and you in theirs!

- Jeff Foster

11/16/2020

Good morning Whidbey Island. Thank you again for stopping by to check out Whidbey's Good Death Doula! If you are looking for help or even information on end of life care please reach out to me and let me help you! I am passionate about helping individuals with their end of life journey. I look forward to hearing from you.

11/02/2020

10/25/2020

Hello! Life got a bit crazy there for a bit. I am back and ready to be a part of your care team! Message me for any more information.

01/27/2020

Good Monday Morning

01/26/2020

Hello All!

Let me introduce myself a little bit!

My name is Amy and I have lived on Whidbey Island for almost 21 years now! I have three amazing daughters that are now grown and doing their own thing. My oldest is 21 and goes to school in Springfield Ohio, and she is in her 3rd year as a Biology Major. My middle lives in Arizona, but is moving back to the Island in Feb! My youngest daughter is in Job Core studying for her Medical Assistant license. All great accomplishments!

I have been married to my husband Richard for 24 years this year! I was truly blessed when we found each other! its certainly not easy being the only man in a house of 4 women!
He has the kindest heart and is so patient He is a roofer by trade and knows most of the ins and out of construction. There doesn't seem to be much he cant do or knows. Even after 24 years I am still surprised at what he knows.

I started caregiving when I was about 16 years old for a friend of our church family. I used to go hang out with Mrs Pearl after school until her husband returned from work. My duties included making lunch and starting dinner occasionally, and helping Mrs Pearl with light housekeeping and just some companionship. .I knew shortly after a few months that this was the type of work I really wanted to do. I went on to care for a few others as I got older. I found myself gravitating toward caregiver jobs. At 22 I began working for Washington Agency of Aging with COPES. This provided education and a step in working in geriatrics. I also was able to care for so many seniors in their homes that I was exposed to many different health diagnoses. I have cared in a few facilities and have learned so much in that time and received my Certificate of Nursing license(expired now). I have been doing home health on the island ever since of our move here in 2000. In those years I have been so blessed to be a part of numerous folks and being trusted to care to for their loved one has been such a privilege. I look forward to meeting more of you and your families.

01/25/2020

Great article and quite helpful.

Hospice provides comfort and maintains quality of life during the last stages of life. Learn about hospice services, choices, and what to expect.