Welcome

Transcript:

Welcome everyone! I am Traci Arieli and I’m delighted to introduce you to Comforting Closure – my end-of-life doula practice.

Let me share a little about myself and why I chose to become an end-of-life doula. Throughout the years, I have had the privilege of knowing many individuals who faced serious illnesses and passed away. These experiences have deeply impacted me.

I now find myself surrounded by friends who have lost their parents and other loved ones, and my own family members are engaging in discussions about advanced directives, health insurance, aging care, and dying. Talking with my friends, it became clear that I am not alone in this experience.

One thing that strikes me is how the topic of dying is often met with silence and fear. Many people simply don't know how to approach it. We plan for birthdays, weddings, the holidays, but we don’t plan for aging and eventual death. Because of my experiences, I realized the importance of creating a space where individuals and families can define what a "good quality of life" means to them and receive the guidance to plan for it. That's why I became an end-of-life doula.

So, what exactly is an end-of-life doula? The International End-of-Life Doula Association defines an end-of-life doula as someone who provides companionship, comfort, and guidance to those facing a terminal illness or death. We offer non-medical holistic support that encompasses emotional, spiritual, and practical care. Our role is to provide resources that help the dying person, along with their family and loved ones, make informed decisions in a supportive environment.

You might wonder how my services differ from hospice care. While hospice care primarily focuses on medical and pain management needs, as well as emotional and spiritual support, the amount of time the hospice team can spend with an individual is severely limited. An end-of-life doula complements these services by providing emotional, practical, and spiritual support for greater lengths of time. I work closely with the individual, their loved ones, and the hospice team to create a comprehensive care plan that addresses all aspects of their well-being.

My services include advanced planning, respite and companion care, legacy projects, vigil planning, and bereavement support. I offer a comforting presence, actively listening to fears, concerns, and desires, while helping individuals and families navigate complex decisions.

If you or your loved ones are in need of compassionate end-of-life support, I invite you to read through my website, where you can find more information about the services I offer. Also feel free to reach out to me directly.