Tidy Endings
End of Life Doula Services
in Melbourne
Our own demise is a challenging concept. And as much as it is an uncomfortable thought, we know that it will happen.
Many of us are aware of friends or relatives who have had less-than-ideal end of life experiences and with hindsight, we wish we could have improved it for them. While most of us don’t know how or when we will die, what is within our control is doing all we can to prepare well, to assist both ourselves and our families.
What is an End of Life Doula?
In essence, an End of Life Doula (sometimes called a 'Death Doula') provides a range of practical and emotional support towards the end of life, both to the individual and often to their families too.
Perhaps you’ve received a terminal diagnosis, or your health is deteriorating in older age? Whatever your particular circumstances, we can support you either in your home, in a hospice, hospital or elderly care home. It is a non-medical role with the purpose of preserving the quality of wellbeing, sense of identity and self-worth while helping you to make sense of, and best prepare for, the end.
End of Life Doulas provide a compassionate and steady presence with specialist knowledge, experience and understanding to support clients and families. With a core focus on the client and their loved ones, we help facilitate an end that empowers clients to exercise choice over how & where they’re cared for, and to achieve an end with dignity, meaning and in peace.
Depending on the level of Home Care Package or your NDIS plan (self or agency-managed), you may be able to use your funding for Doula services. Please ask your provider for details.
Want to learn more? Click here to see where Katie is popping up to talk at public events & spaces!
Your Own Journey
This is a very personal journey. And being informed of, and carefully considering your choices before any health deterioration, allows you to make the right decisions - for you.
For Clients - it enables you to have an active voice in how & where you are cared for, it directs medical professionals to understand the extent of intervention you’d like, it helps your family deal with hard decisions during an emotionally difficult time, and provides you with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve considered this final stage of life thoroughly, and are well prepared for the inevitable event.
For Families - you want to get this right for your loved one but starting a conversation can be far harder than you might expect. Exploring perceptions and views around death can be difficult to discuss with those closest to us, and in our experience, talking with a professional End of Life Doula can elicit more authentic responses without judgement, assumptions or hurt feelings.
Our Services
Whether you’re interested in End of Life Doula services for yourself or a loved family member, please contact Katie at Tidy Endings for a free initial chat so that I can understand your circumstances and see how we can support you.
Tidy Endings currently offers two End of Life services - an 'Advance Planning Service' and 'Advance Care Directive'
Advance Planning Service
Exploring a comprehensive range* of life's facets, such as
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Practical, worldly considerations
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Your medical preferences (including an Advance Care Directive)
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How your values and spiritual views impact your choices
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Unpacking your concerns and fears
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Ideas and wishes for a legacy
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How you'd like your life to be celebrated
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After-death options, and more
Our conversations are gentle and compassionate. Over several meetings, we work closely to unpack and examine these issues together, understand your choices over certain things, and work to provide practical information that can be shared with your loved ones to help them navigate a difficult time. Communicating your requests to the people that matter is vital in achieving your end of life wishes.
Advance Care Directive
A legally binding Advance Care Directive & Medical Treatment Decision Makers* are documented for you to share with your family, friends, medical team, upload to 'My Health Record', legal representatives, etc, as you wish. This is offered as a stand-alone service, and can be particularly useful for clients going into an Aged Care Home, or similar.
* the exact list may differ from client to client
All conversations are confidential between you - the client, and Katie Adler. Documentation will only be shared with the client's full agreement, and only with specified individuals or teams fulfilling certain roles.
About
Led by Katie Adler, Tidy Endings provides End of Life Doula services in Melbourne.
Katie’s background spans the corporate, tertiary education and small business sectors, having spent the last 20years in various Counselling roles. Tapping into a broad range of skills including:
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narrative counselling,
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perceptive questioning,
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a universal positive regard,
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an ability to drill down to the underlying facts, and
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active listening...
Katie has supported individuals in her role as a career coach, counsellor & mentor, helping to empower clients to make informed decisions about their options and goals.
The same principles and skills are used to empower clients in End of Life decisions.
"Like many of us, I’ve had some experience with elderly relatives over the years, but my interest in End-of-Life work really stemmed from the covid period in Melbourne when the gaps in our systems were exposed so publicly. Being a pragmatic person, I wanted to find a way to help alleviate the uncertainty for people as their health deteriorates and death approaches. I’ve developed a flexible, holistic Advance Planning Service designed to empower individuals, allowing them to choose their terms and offering autonomy over their ending, and importantly, providing a sense of peace knowing that they’ve left things in a manageable state for their family. It can be difficult work, but so rewarding.”
In addition to several tertiary qualifications, Katie is a Certified End of Life Doula from the Australian Doula College, and holds a current St John’s First Aid/CPR certificate, Working With Children Check, National Police Check and Public Liability insurance. See Katie's full profile on LinkedIn.
