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What is an end-of-life doula?
Just like a birth doula helping to bring life into this world an End-of-life doula is a non-medical professional trained to provide emotional, physical, spiritual, and informational support to a patient and family before, during, and after death.
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What is a Doulagiver Specialist?
A Doulagiver specialist is a full-spectrum, non-medical, holistic end of life practitioner with an End of Life Doula Training Certification.
The MOST important question you could ever answer:
1. If your loved one got a terminal diagnosis today, would you know how to care for them?
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Medicare states that 98% of hands on end of life care is done by family caregivers, even with hospice services on board.
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2. Are you caring for an elderly parent and finding it hard to navigate?
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Many people are finding themselves in the "sandwich generation" caring for children and their elderly parents while working a full time job. I can help you!
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3. Do YOU have an aging well plan in place?
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Life expectancy has almost doubled in the last 100 years. The elderly population is one of the fastest growing demographics. With advanced age comes several potential challenges: physically, cognitively, and financially. We don't know how long we will live and what the circumstances will be when we do. It is best practice and recommended to have a Living Well Aging Plans A,B,&C in place to cover all possibilities, Empower yourself by choosing what you want ahead of time. Learn More!
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Introducing Becky Churney.
Welcome!
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As a licensed practical nurse specializing in elder and end-of-life care, I am committed to creating a dynamic support system tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Together, we will bridge and fill care gaps, ensuring that your loved ones receive the highest quality of care. My services are designed to provide comprehensive support, allowing families to feel confident and secure in their care journey.
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Every patient and family served is unique and services will be tailored to their individual needs. Examples of available services:
* Elder care management: Working both behind the scenes and in conjunction with the client and their family to plan, problem solve, advocate, and monitor while providing a comprehensive collaborative.
* Coordination of personal care: Assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, toileting, eating, shopping, housekeeping, personal hygiene, dressing, meal prep, accompany client to appointments, etc.)
* Crisis Management: allowing for non-dramatic care management
* Life Care Management: individualized health care plan to meet patients’ specific needs
* Family care plan management: improving outcomes and social networks to support older adults in their home or facility. Support is available 24/7 through all stages, as needed. Ensuring a whole family approach.
* Maintain a personal health record to keep track of information and allow for everyone to have access to the same information during what can be an emotionally chaotic time. Allows for open communication and planning. As well as the ability to demystify and unravel the confusing litany of unknown medical terminology, allowing the family to feel more literate and self-assured.
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I would be honored to serve your family. -Becky
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Education and Certifications
2011-present
Licensed Practical Nurse
Excelsior University
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a professional who provides basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses and doctors. LPNs are responsible for tasks such as monitoring patients' vital signs, administering medications and assisting with daily living activities. They play a crucial role in patient care settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and, ensuring that patients receive the support they need for recovery and well-being.
2022-present
Certified End-0f-Life Doula
Doulagivers Foundation ​
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2023-present
Dementia Care Specialist (DCS)
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA)
2024-present
End-of-Life Doula
National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) * with NEDA proficiency
A certified end-of-life doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, spiritual, and practical support to individuals and their families during the dying process. They help create a peaceful environment, facilitate conversations about end-of-life wishes, and offer guidance on navigating the complexities of grief and loss. Their role is to ensure that the dying person’s needs and preferences are honored, providing comfort and companionship in a challenging time.
A certified dementia care specialist is trained to support individuals with dementia. They create personalized care plans and offer emotional support to families, ensuring safe environment. This certification a commitment to improving the quality of life for those affected their caregivers.
The National End of Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) proficiency focuses on training and resources for end-of-life doulas. It emphasizes compassionate support for individuals and families during the dying process, addressing their emotional and practical needs. NEDA promotes best practices within the profession and raises awareness about the vital role of doulas in hospice and palliative care.
Doulagivers Specialist Services
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Acts as the eyes and ears for the hospice/medical team
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Create Living Well Aging Plan
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Provide holistic support to the elderly and their caregivers
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Teach about life
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Act as patient advocates and help navigate through the complex medical system
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Educates on the physical aspects of dying​
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Respite and support for the dying and their caregiver
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Connect the dying person and their loved ones with local resources
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Assistance with Advance Directive for Health Care at any stage of life
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Support the dying person and caregiver emotionally, physically, energetically, and spiritually
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Foster open communication with medical professionals, hospice teams, and other caregivers
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Facilitate Life Reviews
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Create Legacy Projects
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Encourage forgiveness dialogue between the dying person and their loved ones
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Advocate for the dying person's final wishes
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Develop vigil plans and create a calm, sacred space during the vigil
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Encourage and evaluate the loved ones knowledge on how to lovingly care for the body before and after
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Provide grief support
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Meet people "where they are" on their journey
Certified Care Consultant
As a certified care consultant:
Having been trained in end of life planning processes, Doulagivers Care Consultants can help individuals create a personal plan for the future to include advance directives, living plans, and family mediation.
As a Doulagivers Certified Care Consultant, I will:
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Help Individuals create an end of life living plan
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Explain what an advance directives are:
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Living Will
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Health Care Proxy
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Designation of a Conservator
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Organ Donation
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Explain Various Medical Terms
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Complete Advance Care Planning Documentation:
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What are treatments you want?
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What do you want?
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Facilitate Family Meetings
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Discuss your wishes with your family and healthcare providers
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And so much more!
Certified Elder Care Doula
As a Certified Elder Care Doula:
Aging is a difficult, but integral part of our life. Having people to count on and care for your loved ones brings not only great quality of life to the patient, but also incredible peace of mind to those who love them.
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As an Elder Care Doula, I am specifically trained to provide holistic (physical, emotional, and spiritual) care for the elderly. An Elder Care Doula cares for aging seniors by simply being a companion through the process.
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As a Doulagivers Specialist I will provide ongoing support to both the patient and their families at the time of and throughout the end-of-life process.
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Due to the reality of modern family structure and our increasingly challenged, medical system, we need additional options to support and care for the precious, aging population.
In this offering, I will provide holistic care to the elderly by:
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Building Trust
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Finding Out What Matters Most (it is important for you to understand what matters most to you and your family and how to discover this crucial information)
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Creating An Action Plan (Having a plan helps to give you peace of mind when you and your family need it most)
The Doulagivers Specialist Certification is the ultimate training program providing the highest level of progressive education for those who have chosen a career being in holistic end of life care and planning.
Free Resources and Events
Join our
Seminar Series
UPCOMING! Discover the beauty of end of life care with Day By Day. Engage in monthly 75-minute sessions, online or in person, connecting with a global community. Embrace teachings, group discussions, and Q&A sessions. Formerly $97, now FREE of charge. Don't miss this opportunity to learn and grow.
Doulagivers The Good Death 12 month seminar series supports and educated communities on end of life care.
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Held online, or in person with people from all around the world, The Good Death Seminar Series will be held monthly for 75 minutes.
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Price was $97 and it is now FREE of charge.
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Each seminar will consist of a segment of teaching, group discussion, and a Q&A session.
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The Good Death Seminar Series is taught by myself, a Certified Doulagivers Specialist.
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12 GOOD DEATH SEMINAR SEGMENT TOPICS​
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How Did We Get Here? How did we get to a place in our world where death is the #1 Fear?
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What is Hospice Care and how does it work? What is the Hospice Gap and how can you fill it?
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What is an advanced directive? Are they legally binding? What you NEED to do to make it a legal medical order.
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What is a Healthcare Proxy? How do I pick one?​
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What does quality of life mean to you? Why THIS should be the benchmark for whether you move forward with treatments or not.
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How to ensure the best end of life experience for yourself. The 9 Essential Questions you NEED to answer.
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How to have a family conversation about your end of life wishes.
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What to do when families do not agree on end of life care for a loved one.
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How to give your family a "blueprint" for your end of life care and why this is such a GIFT to them.
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What are Home wakes/Home funerals? The benefits and how to have one.
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The New Dying Options: Traditional Burial vs Natural Burial, water cremations, human composting, and more!
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Grief and Bereavement: The TRUTH about grief and how to have the healthiest bereavement period possible.
Free Doulagivers Level 1 End of Life Doula and Family Caregiving Training Webinar
What will you learn in this training?
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In this free webinar, conducted by the founder of Doulagivers Institute, Suzanne B. O'Brien RN, you will learn how to care for someone who is dying from the time of a terminal diagnosis all the way through until the end-of-life.
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You will learn the 3 phases at the End of Life model of care that Suzanne teaches in her professional certification programs at Doulagivers Institute, as well as interventions to provide comfort and support to both patients and their families in each phase.
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Infused with real bedside stories, this training empowers people with the skills to care for their loved ones at the end of life, help heal grief from past experiences with death, and reduce the fear of death in general.
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It also aims to provide insightful and priceless wisdom from those ready to leave this world about how to live fully and make the most out of life's journey!
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Free Resources and Events
The Doulagivers 9 Choice Advance Directives
The Doulagivers 9 Choice Advance Directive was created by Suzanne B. O'Brien, RN after her extensive work with those at end of life for over 2 decades as a hospice and oncology nurse. There is not one Advance Directive document available (up until now) that encompasses all the necessary choices that a person needs to answer to not only have a positive end of life for themselves, but to guide their loved ones in a step by step plan on how to best support them in this final phase.
This document is available by Doulagivers Institute for free so that everyone everywhere has the support they need to have a positive end of life.
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The Doulagivers LIFE CAFE Community Support
At Doulagivers Life Cafe, people gather and come together to discuss life and how to make it the best it can be for everyone, everywhere. Our objective is to have an inclusive global support for each other based on the presence, compassion, and kindness. To have education and group discussions aimed "to increase awareness of what makes a great life", with a view to helping people make the most out of this "One Little Lifetime". We hope to show that by understanding that we are all connected and in this journey together, we can acknowledge that we need to learn to understand and choose to follow our heart guidance over the ego.
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FAQ
Q: What is the difference between a hospice nurse and an End-of-Life Doula?
A: Time and Roles. The hospice nurse is the medical manager of the terminal patient with limited time at the bedside. The Doula is a non-medical professional who is the eyes and ears of the care with no time limitations. The Doula alerts the hospice team to any changes in the patients' presentation so that the hospice nurse can assess and update the care plan maximum daily comfort of the patient (the goal of hospice).
Q: What is the difference between a hospice volunteer and an End-of-Life Doula?
A: Again, Time and Roles. The hospice volunteer in most US States is limited to a maximum weekly bedside visit of 4 hours. The average volunteer visit is 1-2 hours a week. This does not provide the adjunct support that patients and families so desperately need at this stressful time. The Doula can spend as much time with a patient or family as they choose. The Doula can do everything EXCEPT give medication or do any form of medical treatment or wound care. The hospice volunteer needs to follow Medicare regulations that prohibit any form of moving, feeding, bathing, toileting, etc.
Q: What services and support will hospice provide for me after my loved one has died? What grief support can an End-of-Life Doula provide?
A: Hospice does offer bereavement services for up to a year or 15 months in most states. This is usually initiated by a call from a volunteer and the living family member is told about monthly support groups that they may attend. The original hospice team that worked with the family may or may not be part of this service. If not, then families can feel this as another loss. End-of-life Doula's services are available before, during, and anytime after death, even years later.
Q: What can an End-of-life Doula offer that a hospice home health aide can't?
A: Time. Most hospices provide HHA services up to a maximum of 2 hours a day 5 days a week. This is based on acuity of the patient and is only available if the hospice has an available aid. An End-of-Life Doula can be there for as long as needed, as negotiated with the terminal patient and/or the family.
Q: Does hospice approve of End-of-Life Doulas?
A: Absolutely! The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is the membership organization for all the hospices in the US. They started the End-of-Life Doula Council to be able to share with hospices and families how an End-of-Life Doula can assist and complete the hospice team "bridge the gaps in care" and allow for the best end of life experience for both the patient and their loved ones.
Q: Is there a government license for End-of-Life Doulas?
A: No, End-of-Life Doulas are non-medical professionals. Just like the establishment of Birth Doula over 40 years ago, this profession is not regulated by a government license, but there is a certification process and micro-credentials that can be earned. Everyone interested in hiring an End-of-Life Doula is encouraged to do their own research to find someone who they trust. Doulagivers End-of-Life Doulas and Doulagiver Specialists go through extensive rigorous training and testing. All End-of-Life Doulas should be able to provide a current certification of education and Certificate of Liability Insurance as well.
Q: What do you charge for your services? Do you take insurance?
A: End-of-Life Doula services are not covered under insurance. Services are private pay, similar to other companion/caregiver type service, like Comfort Keepers, Home Instead, or Visiting Angels. Fees are very affordable and can be purchased hourly or by packages. Please contact me today to schedule a free 30 minute consultation.
Q: Can an End-of-Life Doula assist in making funeral arrangments?
A: YES!, an End-of-Life Doula has a "scope of practice" that includes everything from the time of a terminal diagnosis to helping patients and families as the illness progresses, to the vigil, time of death, after death care, understanding and honoring grief and finally recovery of life after loss.
Q: Can you still help me or my loved one if we don't live in the same geographical area?
A: YES! As a TELE DOULA! With The New "Tele-Doula" option, I am now able to support patients and families using technology and staying safe in a time of illness or when you are unable to leave your bedside/house.
What clients are saying?
Day By Day made a challenging time easier for me. Becky's care and support were invaluable.
A. Taylor
I'm so glad that I had Becky as an end of life doula! She was incredibly knowledgeable, and was able to translate the information provided by the hospital into terms our family could understand. She helped us navigate every step of my sisters illness, from her admission through her celebration of life.
B. Family
Day By Day exceeded my expectations. The care my mother received was exceptional and allowed her to remain in her home. Her dedication and empathy truly made a difference.