NOT THE END
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Supporting individuals, families and
communities on their death and grief journeys.

​Why Hire an End of Life Doula?

A respectful, knowledgeable resource to connect the dots between the dying person, their family, medical team, social worker, spiritual community, funeral home.A compassionate navigator through the time of transition that requires full attention, listening, patience, steadiness, and understanding of provincial rules and legislation around end of life. While this is still not a regulated profession in Canada, we are educated in one of the three approved educational programs in Canada, and work under the scope of service and code of conduct put forth by the EOLDAC (End of Life Doula Association of Canada).​
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"Love doesn't end with dying
Or leave with the last breath. 
For someone you've loved deeply 
Love doesn't end with death."
John Addey

 

About Aleksandra​

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HEADSHOT HERE
After several baptisms of fire through loss, following one another closely, breathlessly, I did the wrong thing: still actively grieving, I began volunteering with NOVA (a home-care providing Agency for the dying people in the Montreal area), where wise nurses realigned me towards navigating my own grief and helping the organization in an administrative capacity. Called to alleviate and soften this experience for others, in a capacity of a comforting
companion, I completed some formal training:

End of Life Doula Certification with Vancouver Douglas College in 2021

Palliative Care Orientation Certificate Course with Seneca College in Toronto, ON in 2018

Grief Counseling Skills Fundamentals Course with Dr. Alan Wolfelt of Center for Loss and Life
Transition in Colorado, USA


I hold a MSc in Biochemistry and a BSc in Molecular Biology and Physiology and my career prior
to entering the end of life doula space, has been in medical research in oncology.

I am a member of End of Life Doula Association of Canada and Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association.

​I am working with a group of 35+ end of life doulas and related professionals in Atlantic Canada as the group facilitator, on establishing regional operating principles, educational activities, and eventually, a Chapter of the National organization.

Guiding Principles​


Dying is a sacred, universal, yet unique and personal process. Dying is mostly an active transition done by the dying person, witnessed and supported by family and community. The fact an individual has died does not terminate their web of relationships: most relationships may continue in an altered form through and after the journey of grief. Planning for the end of life is an empowering process for the individual, and a gift for those surviving. It is best done when an individual is feeling strong and healthy. As the most natural of life’s transitions, dying deserves to reestablish itself in non-medical settings where it always belonged: home, hospice Regardless of religious or spiritual faith (or lack of thereof), end of life is a transition, and one that can be made largely peaceful and harmonious if all who care for the dying individual are familiar with the dynamic of the last weeks/days, and accepting of the richness of the opportunity to give attention and love to the one transitioning.​

Services to Individuals
​and Families

  • Terminal patient advocacy within medical environment
  • Vigiling and non-medical bedside attendance
  • Short- and long-term grief support and companioning
  • Logistical relief and companioning for families
  • Legacy projects
  • Preparing Advance Care Directives
  • Education: alternative burial options, MAiD, access to hospice, palliative care, and spiritual​ support

Supporting Communities

  • Educational presentations about end of life doula role: community centers, churches, long-term care facilities, schools
  • Fund-raising initiatives to support hospice infrastructure building
  • Leading grief-support circles, walks, activities

Resources

https://www.goodgriefnovascotia.ca/

https://www.livingworks.net/asist

https://endoflifedoulaassociation.org/

https://www.virtualhospice.ca/learninghub/

https://www.facebook.com/GreenBurialNS/
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https://www.legalinfo.org/

Connect

902 890 5527
[email protected]

I live in Scotsburn, Pictou County, Nova Scotia and will support individuals and families
province-wide.
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DISCLAIMER: End of Life Doulas do not perform any medical services (prescribing, recommending,
administering). End of Life Doulas do not participate in preparing the body for the funeral.
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