#22 The role of End of Life Doulas in Advance Care Planning

30.05.2022

#22 The role of End of Life Doulas in Advance Care Planning

In this episode I talk with EoL Doula Aly Dickinson. I learn more about the role of an EoL Doula and explore how they can help people and organisations in Advance Care Planning. Our conversation highlights the components of Advance Care Planning, and Aly’s approach shows how to create a practical plan from your initial thoughts.

Key messages from guest

  • An EoL Doula supports people in the last part of their life and in planning ahead.

  • EoL Doulas can support people for days, weeks, months or even years.

  • EoL Doulas help with practical, emotional and spiritual support, guiding people through choices and decisions. 

  • EoL Doulas can help navigate social and health care and support with household admin.

  • EoL Doulas help people to approach death without fear or loneliness.

  • All Living Well Dying Doulas have experience in completing their own Advance Plan

  • The framework for planning ahead is based on what you do want, what you don’t want, who will speak for you and your funeral/legacy.

Resource

  • Holding Space 

  • End of Life Doula UK

  • Find out what a  Death Cafe is

  • See resource on Advance Care Planning from Compassion in Dying

  • Listen to episode 1, How to ensure your plans are heard with Clair Fisher

  • Audio Play (30mins) You'll be Fine - a play by Jan Etherington highlighting the importance of close relationships in helping us live well until we die and reducing the fear and stigma surrounding the end of life.

  • Video Poem by Dean Parkin We Are Here As part of his research and to generate authentic content for the poem, Dean interviewed people connected with Halesworth Compassionate Communities and also attended group sessions at the Pear Tree Centre in Halesworth. He heard first-hand accounts – from individual clients, family members, carers and volunteers – of illness, disability, life-changing diagnosis and bereavement, and of how Pear Tree can help people achieve a better quality of life and their best possible death.

Aly Dickinson is a Director of End of Life Doula UK https://eol-doula.uk and a practising doula based in Devon, in a home she shares with 2 cats and 45 patio pots! Aly trained with Living Well Dying Well https://lwdwtraining.uk after years of working in HR, she has volunteered in local hospices and now works out and about in the community as a doula and raising awareness of all things death and dying related.

Aly facilitates community events such as end of life planning, funeral planning, death cafes, information sessions and Bereavement Cafes.

 

What one thing will you do?

It would be great to share what resonated with you from this episode, what is the one thing you will do differently? Head to Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn to continue these important conversations.

Thanks to all my guests for working with me to share their knowledge, experience and stories about Advance Care Planning. I hope you enjoyed listening and have insights to take away; I love hearing your reflections on the series and look forward to reviews on Spotify where you can also subscribe to the series.

Clare

Important Conversations about Important Conversations.