Services

A. Health Care Proxy (medical power of attorney)

• A healthcare proxy is a legal document appointing someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you're incapacitated. Think of it as your designated driver for healthcare.

B.  Living Will​

• A living will is a legal document that outlines your wishes for medical treatment in situations where you are seriously ill and unable to communicate them yourself.

C.  Advance Medical Directive ​

• An advance medical directive is an umbrella term encompassing two key documents for planning your future medical care: a health care proxy and living will. 

Coordinators act as patient advocates throughout their healthcare journey. They provide guidance and support, ensuring patients receive the highest quality care and understand their treatment options.

Think of them as personal guides in the often-complex world of healthcare. Here's a breakdown of their role:

• Advocacy: Nurse navigators champion your needs and ensure your voice is heard by the healthcare team.

• Education: They provide clear explanations about your condition, treatment options, and potential side effects.

• Care Coordination: They help navigate appointments, referrals, and tests, ensuring a smooth and timely treatment process.

• Emotional Support: Navigators offer emotional support for you and your family as you cope with a diagnosis or ongoing health condition.

Nurse navigators can be especially helpful for patients with chronic illnesses or those facing complex diagnoses. They can also be a valuable resource for anyone who feels overwhelmed by the healthcare system.

• Memorial service planning is the process of curating a respectful ceremony to celebrate the life of the deceased. It encompasses securing a location and time, establishing a theme and tone, coordinating program elements (speakers, music, tributes), and arranging remembrances (photos, guestbooks).

A memorial celebrant is an officiant who presides over memorial services, particularly those that are non-religious or interfaith. Here's a breakdown of their key role:

• Creates Personalized Ceremonies: Unlike clergy who follow specific religious rituals, celebrants craft unique services that reflect the deceased's life, beliefs, and the wishes of the family.

• Guides the Process: Celebrants meet with families to understand their preferences, help plan the service structure, and offer suggestions for readings, poems, or music that resonate with the deceased and loved ones.

• Officiates the Service: They lead the ceremony, delivering opening and closing remarks, and ensuring a smooth flow for speakers and program elements.

• Provides Support: Celebrants offer emotional support and guidance to families navigating the complexities of arrangements and the grieving process.

Think of a memorial celebrant as a facilitator and guide who personalizes the farewell service to create a meaningful commemoration of the deceased's life.

Vigil and Respite Care

During the final stages of life, a death doula can provide vigil care, acting as a supportive companion for both the dying person and their loved ones. Here's the essence:

• Physical and Emotional Presence: The doula offers continuous bedside presence, comforting the dying person and providing a calming influence.

• Family Support: They act as a listening ear for family members, helping them navigate the emotional challenges of this time.

• Comfort Measures: The doula might assist with simple tasks to promote comfort for the dying person, ensuring their well-being.

• Communication Bridge: They can facilitate communication between the family, medical staff, and the dying person, ensuring everyone's needs are met.

• Respecting Wishes: The doula prioritizes honoring the wishes of the dying and their family, creating a peaceful and personalized environment.

Think of a death doula offering vigil care as a source of comfort, support, and a gentle presence during a profound life transition.

Death doulas primarily focus on support, but they may be able to offer some limited help with administrative tasks after a loved one's passing. Here's a breakdown of the potential assistance:

• Basic Paperwork (limited): Some doulas might help with initial tasks like:

  • Contacting close relatives to notify them of the death.

  • Gathering basic information for obituaries or death certificates (name, date of birth, etc.).

  • Locating important documents

  • Notifying agencies of passing, etc. 

• Resource Connection: We can handle the bulk of the administrative burden, such as:

  • Funeral homes to discuss arrangements.

  • Estate lawyers for probate or will-related issues.

  • Social Security Administration or veteran's affairs offices for benefit claims.