End of Life Doulas: A bridge to peace
End of Life Doulas (EOLDs) work in the space between medical support and family caregiving. Their important work complements the work of the clinical hospice team and helps the dying person and their loved ones by providing comfort, companionship, and presence at the end of life.
I have had the honor of collaborating with and learning from several EOLDs in my career including those featured here, and I believe collaboration between the medical and EOLD communities can bring about a re-imagining of End of Life Care.
ACE End of Life Doula Services
Joan Bretthauer, MS • ACE End of Life Doula Services
ADVOCACY • CHOICE • EDUCATION
Joan Bretthauer is an end-of-life doula in the St. Louis area.
She is nationally known and recognized for her leadership roles in the EOLD community and has served as a vital resource for me in understanding the breadth and scope of doula work. In addition, Joan continues to be a conduit for connections to those in the EOLD community who are key stakeholders in the hospice/palliative care - EOLD collaboration vision. Joan finds much of her guidance from her training as an Anamcara Apprentice via the Sacred Art of Living Center, and is blessed with a wonderful blending of organizational skills and heart-centered intuition.
Joan is a leader in the EOLD community because she has the calling to do this work, the heart centered guidance and training, and the experience of both being with the dying and working with other leaders in the medical and EOLD community. She is a true "north star".
Joan Bretthauer, MS