Why Dementia Death Doulas Matter

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Dementia death doulas offer something profoundly needed in our time: presence, continuity, and compassionate guidance through one of the most complex and drawn-out transitions a person and their loved ones may face.

Here’s why their role is so vital.

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1. Navigating a Long, Unpredictable Journey

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• Dementia often unfolds over years, with gradual cognitive decline, emotional shifts, and identity loss.

• Death doulas provide consistent companionship and emotional support throughout this journey—not just at the final moment.

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2. Honoring Personhood Amid Declining Cognition and Memory Loss

• As dementia progresses, individuals may lose the ability to express themselves or be recognized for who they once were.

• Doulas help preserve dignity, identity, and legacy through storytelling, rituals, and gentle presence.

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3. Supporting Families Through Ambiguous Grief

• Loved ones often grieve in stages—mourning the gradual loss of connection long before physical death.

• Doulas offer tools for coping, validating emotions, and creating meaningful goodbyes, even when words fail.

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4. Bridging Gaps in Traditional Care

• Medical systems focus on physical symptoms, while hospice may arrive late in the process.

• Dementia death doulas fill the emotional and spiritual gaps, offering holistic care that includes touch, music, nature, and ritual.

5. Creating Peaceful, Personalized Endings

• They help design environments and experiences that reflect the person’s values—whether through scent, sound, or sacred objects.

• Even in non-verbal stages, doulas can offer comfort through presence, breathwork, and gentle touch.

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A Doula’s Touch in Dementia Care

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As one doula shared, “My wish is that death becomes an extension of life—what mattered most still matters at the end.”

 

That ethos is especially powerful in dementia, where the threads of memory may fray, but the soul remains intact.

Would you like help crafting a gentle handout or ritual for families navigating dementia loss? I’d be honored to co-create something with you.

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The Training
With decades of experience training Doulas in both Birth and Death, I have always felt the need to offer specialized Dementia Doula training.

My own journey includes personal experience with family members affected by Dementia, working as a facilitator in aged care, and serving as a Palliative Care Nurse and Death Doula. During a visit to a Dementia Care facility Companion Doulas volunteer, I realized the urgent need for a more sophisticated approach to supporting clients from the moment of diagnosis through their final days. **Online Training** - Six weekly Zoom sessions (60-90 minutes each), recorded for those unable to attend. - Six modules at-home study, featuring reading, watching, and listening materials. - An online support group on Facebook for peer mentoring. Families require consistent support as they navigate care planning, addressing turmoil and decision-making during this challenging journey. My previous in Tasmania as a Recreational Officer taught me the importance understanding behaviors and providing compassionate care beyond traditional methods.

Course Investment:
$490 (with a $90 deposit to secure your spot; balance due before course start).

To enroll, contact: ask.deniseve@gmail.com
Bank Details:
LifeOptions. BSB: 012487
Account No 250001495
Please identify yourself when making a. Join me for this enriching and learning experience!