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 case with no time limitations. The Doula alerts the hospice team to any changes in the patient's presentation so that the hospice nurse can assess and update the care plan for maximum daily comfort of the patient (the goal of hospice).

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 would care. The hospice volunteer needs to follow Medicare regulations that prohibit any form of moving, feeding, bathing, toileting, etc.

A: YES! The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) Established the End of Life Doula Council in 2018. Read more in this article:

You searche for hospices engage with death doulas - Hospice News