Why Add a Doula to Your Hospice Team?
1. More Time for Your Patients
Hospice nurses, aides, and social workers are often stretched thin.
Doulas fill the gaps by offering:
Extended bedside presence
Gentle conversation & companionship
Support for patients who are isolated or without family
This additional time helps reduce anxiety, loneliness, and distress for both patients and families.
2. Enhanced Support for Families
Families often struggle with overwhelm, uncertainty, and grief.
Doula services provide:
Education about the dying process
Practical support to reduce caregiver burnout
Legacy-building activities (i.e. letter-writing)
- Vigil support
This added layer of care significantly strengthens family satisfaction during hospice services.
3. Complementary, Non-Medical Care
A doula does not replace hospice staff—they amplify and extend the mission of an organization’s work.
Doulas focus on:
Presence, not procedures
Emotional and spiritual reassurance
Comforting rituals (music, reading, grounding practices)
Communication support between patients, families, and teams
Doulas help maintain patient dignity and deepen the sense of peace in the final days and hours.
4. Improved Continuity & Care Coordination
Our doulas communicate carefully and respectfully with hospice staff to ensure:
Alignment with the care plan
Smooth updates regarding patient emotional and social needs
Support during transitions (hospital to hospice, home to facility, etc.)
We integrate seamlessly—never adding burden to your team.
5. Higher Family Satisfaction Scores
Hospice agencies that incorporate doula-style support may see improvements in:
Perceived quality of care
Family confidence and understanding of the dying process
Caregiver emotional resilience
- Overall client satisfaction
A doula can be a powerful contributor to patient-centered outcomes.