Support at the end of life – working with a doula

End-of-life doulas are growing in number across New Zealand, offering non-medical support to people approaching the end of life – whether due to age or illness – and to their whānau.

Doulas provide practical, spiritual, emotional, social and cultural support during what can be a challenging and emotional time.

Treza Gallogly is chair of the End of Life Doula Alliance Aotearoa, a national organisation promoting awareness and standards for the profession.

“An end of life doula provides non-medical support, and holistic care of people who are advancing in age or living with serious illness, and their whānau,” Treza says.

“We can come along and make sure that person’s needs are being met and they are getting the support they need until they die.”

Doulas work alongside others in the care team such as doctors, nurses and physiotherapists.

“We are coming to fill the gaps – to spend time with the family, understand who they are, what’s important to them, and help to share the knowledge we have on what their options are.”

A lot of people don’t realise that there are different ways to do things, Treza says.

“We might help a young mother who’s going through treatment and preparing for her death – create a roster to take the kids to school. I often say, you need to build a village. You need someone who can stand beside you and help your family and friends, so that when everyone asks how they can help, the doula can say: I think we need transport, I think we need meals, I think we need someone to pick up prescriptions from the pharmacy.”

Treza says doulas also support carers and families.

The Alliance was set up to provide professional standards and training in an otherwise unregulated space. It works with international trainers, maintains a code of ethics and practices, and lists members on its website.

“We have a list of important criteria that our doulas have to meet so families can trust that our members fall under this framework,” Treza says.

“On our website, we have questions people should ask a doula when they are engaging one, and we recommend that people do their own due diligence by meeting with them, so they can see where they are on their journey.”

Treza says it’s best when doulas are brought in early. “But we go in and out of people’s lives. We might disappear for months because they’ve done all their planning and are living their best lives, but if anything happens, they can make the call and we will be there.”

Doulas usually agree on an hourly rate with families after an initial meeting. This is generally around $60–$70 per hour, and some offer tailored packages depending on the situation.

“However, I try and make it accessible, because we want everyone to have our care if they need it,” Treza says.

She believes part of a doula’s role is helping to normalise death. “We educate our communities and are trying to encourage people to have these conversations. 

Info www.swansong.nz/about End of Life Doula Alliance www.eldaa.org.nz