End-of-Life Doula Services
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Definition:
swansong
The last piece of work, achievement or performance of a person.
doula
One who accompanies a person (and their family/whānau), as they transition either into, or out of, their life.
An End-of-life Doula is also known as a Death Midwife, Death Doula, Death Consultant, Deathwalker, Death Companion, End-of-Life Carer, or Family Death Care Advocate.
Supporting you to live well, and die well.
As Doulas, we support people as they travel their end-of-life journey, be it naturally from advancing age, or because they have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.
The doula model of care encourages the person to shape their own future, by making informed decisions and enabling them to prepare well for their death. And most importantly, to make the most of the time they have left.
We do this by providing holistic practical, spiritual, emotional, cultural and social care.
We look at what the person needs - as they need it - and work alongside the health team and other professionals who are providing their all round care.
Most importantly, we take a family/whānau-centred approach.
We help ease the stress of looking after a loved one at home, instilling confidence, and assisting with the co-ordination of care. We also provide vigil care during last days of life.
This allows families to concentrate on each other, and create more meaningful memories.
‘My passion is to support people of all ages who require palliative care, and to enable their families to look after them at home if that is their wish.’
A well-prepared death, means a better bereavement for those loved ones left behind.
“It is an honour and a privilege to step into the sacred space of a person’s end-of-life journey.”
Treza Gallogly - Swansong Founder
Services.
Advance Care Conversations
Plan your future life, and death, and improve more lives than just your own.
This is for everyone. And is the greatest gift you can give your loved ones.
Do your loved ones know your preferences, should you have an accident or a severe medical event where you can’t communicate?
Or what you would like to happen after you die?
There are many more options than you think.
We can help you prepare - Wills, Enduring Power of Attorneys, writing Advance Care Plans & Directives, Legacy documents - so your wishes can be carried out, and your family can be confident about the important decisions.
Diagnosis Support
It’s hard to think straight when you, or a family member, have been given a life-limiting medical diagnosis.
What does this all mean? What will happen?
What’s next? What will I need? What will my family need?
How will I die? Where will I die?
How can I live the rest of my life as well as possible?
Anticipatory grief runs deep.
Let us support you during this time, and help you to make plans and get things done.
After Death Care
We also provide after-death guidance and care, so whether you have had a sudden, or expected death in your world, we can help.
This is a very stressful time for those grieving, as there are many decisions to make when it comes to funerals and saying goodbye.
How can we bring our loved one’s body home?
Can we be involved in the process?
Which funeral director will best understand our needs and our budget?
Can we have a family-led funeral?
We can assist with these arrangements, so you can focus on family and what’s really important.