FREE PSW Webinar September – Death Doulas: An aid at the end of life
Presentation by Jennifer Mallmes
Learning Outcomes
- What is an end of life doula?
- What is their impact?
- End of life doula compared to a PSW’s role
- End of life doula training overview
- How end of life doulas and PSWs can work together
As an aging population faces their end-of-life journey, more Canadians are seeking education, resources, and support to improve this inevitable experience for themselves, their extended families, and their community. An end-of-life doula is a companion and coach who provides practical and emotional support before, during and after death, and can educate, advocate, and empower people to talk about serious illness planning and end of life before they need it.
This workshop will educate PSWs and other health care professionals about the End-of-Life Doula role, scope of practice and body of knowledge that an end-of-life doula holds. In alignment with the Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association, EOLDAC’s goal is to be an integral part of the palliative and hospice care team; we will demonstrate how the work of end-of-life doulas can support the vision of CHPCA and increase the quality of end-of-life care.
Jennifer has spent the last 20 years as a caregiver and an advocate for quality end-of-life care in Canada. She is a mother of 5 and resides in the Kootenay area of BC. Jennifer began her education in Nursing; however, she left that field to pursue a degree in Gerontology from Simon Fraser University, where she focused her studies on equality, aging, and the end of life. Jennifer is a registered Community Health Worker and has worked in community home care and long-term care where she found fulfillment in helping support people near the end-of-life.
Jennifer is also the co-founder of the End-of-Life Doula Association of Canada, the creator and an instructor of the End-of-Life Doula program and Indigenous End of Lifer Guide program at Douglas College. Currently, Jennifer is a master’s candidate at Athabasca University in Interdisciplinary Studies and Adult Education. Jennifer’s passion for quality end-of-life care has inspired her to consciously empower others to live and die well.
What is the difference in the emotional support that a PSW would provide vs. that of a Death Doula? Can a PSW train to become a Death Doula and work as a PSW at the same time?
I am looking forward to catching the replay on this webinar!