Enhancing End-of-Life Care in Comox

End-of-life care in Comox just improved with Classic LifeCare now providing End-of-Life Doula & Guide services! Our Service Coordinator, Laila Yuile, recently completed the End-of-Life Doula program from Douglas College. This intensive six-week online course, held every Sunday for 8 hours, has equipped Laila with the knowledge and skills to enhance end-of-life care in Comox.

The inspiration for Laila to take this course came from a deeply personal experience. Early in her career at Classic LifeCare, Laila witnessed the passing of a client who did not experience a good death and was not able to die as wished. This impacting experience highlighted the importance of advanced care planning to her, so that people can die according to their values and wishes.

Laila shares: “So much thought and consideration go into bringing a person into the world, but leaving this world often doesn’t receive the same attention. I want to help ensure everyone has the ability to plan and experience the end of life they choose, and a good death, however that may look for them.”

 

The Role of an End-of-Life Doula & Guide

An End-of-Life Doula, also known as an end-of-life guide, is a trained professional who offers non-medical support to individuals and their families before, during and after death. End-of-Life Doulas play a crucial role in modern society by filling the gaps in end-of-life care.

This begins by empowering individuals to make informed decisions and facilitating open conversations about death and dying to create an Advanced Care Plan. They offer personalized guidance that complements and works in conjunction with palliative and medical care, providing emotional and physical support, education about the dying process, preparation for what’s to come and guidance while loved ones are grieving.

Laila will soon be applying for registration with the End-of-Life Doula Association of Canada, which provides guidelines and oversight that requires vulnerable sector criminal record check, scope of practice, demonstration of competency by updating and submitting additional training every two years and keeping up to date with government and health authority policies and resources. With her registration number, clients with extended health coverage that cover doula services will be able to submit their expense receipts.

Laila’s Passion and Learnings

For Classic LifeCare, Laila’s skills will greatly benefit end-of-life care in Comox, helping individuals navigate the complexities of the end-of-life experience together with medical palliative teams or hospice, to ensure each end-of-life experience is as good as it can be.

During her studies, Laila learned about various nonmedical aspects of end-of-life care, including the importance of advance care planning, creating legacy projects for loved ones, providing the opportunity to talk honestly and openly about the dying process and grief, as well as sitting vigil. Laila is passionate about helping people pass in the way they wish and ensuring their wishes are honored and respected. This may include things like the setting of the home or room: favorite scents, music, lighting or other comfort measures. These aspects will be integral to our approach to end-of-life care in Comox going forward.

Speaking of becoming a Death Doula, Laila says: “Working with elders and accident victims who need in home care to stay home safely, has been a rich and fulfilling experience. I feel as though everything I’ve experienced led me to this place where I feel called to help people talk about and plan for where and how they die, and what that looks like. It feels good being able to provide comfort and hold space for the big feelings that come with death. Having these conversations and plans in place lets people focus on living their best life right until the end, knowing their values and wishes will be honored. We often have little control over medical diagnosis and conditions; being able to put voice to these choices can be very empowering. Having guidance in home during those final days, can be a tremendous help.”

How Classic LifeCare Plans to Enhance End-of-Life Care in Comox

With Laila’s newfound expertise as a Death Doula, Classic LifeCare plans to enhance our end-of-life care in Comox. We aim to provide a more holistic and compassionate approach, ensuring our client’s wishes are respected and fulfilled. Our enhanced services will include:

• Preplanning: Assisting with Advance Care Plans, Representation Agreements, and other key documents.
• Facilitating End-of-Life Discussions: Encouraging reflection and capturing ideas about end-of-life values, wishes, and beliefs.
• Referrals and Therapy Awareness: Providing access to a networked community of support.
• Emotional, Practical, and Spiritual Support: Supporting clients and loved ones before, during, and after death.
• Advocacy: Helping make end-of-life wishes a reality.
• Strengthening Relationships: Assisting in strengthening and completing relationships with family and friends.
• Bedside Vigil: Providing companionship during the final moments.
• Legacy Establishment: Assisting clients in creating lasting legacies.
• Primary Caregiver Support: Offering support to those who are primary caregivers.

Classic LifeCare’s End-of-Life Services in Comox

Classic LifeCare has been providing end-of-life care in Comox since we first opened in 2017. Our Health Care Aides offer compassionate and personalized support, ensuring comfort and dignity during the final stages of life.

Their services include assisting with daily living activities, managing pain and symptoms, and providing hands-on personal care. Through their attentive and empathetic care, Classics health care aides help create a peaceful and supportive environment, enhancing the overall end-of-life experience, working often in conjunction with palliative care teams from Island Health.

At Classic LifeCare, we understand that end-of-life conversations can be difficult. However, we are committed to making these conversations and the end-of-life experience as peaceful as possible. The addition of our new End of life Doula & Guide services will perfectly complement our existing end-of-life care services.