Center for Hospice Care Spotlights Doula Volunteer Program

Over the years, Center for Hospice Care (CHC) has worked to provide a wide range of specialized hospice and palliative care options to members of the Northern Indiana community. Each of these programs allows for focused care and support for patients and their families. One program that exemplifies this expansive approach is CHC’s end-of-life doula program.

End-of-life doulas are trained, non-medical professionals who provide emotional, spiritual, and personal support and guidance to patients and families navigating the transitional period between life and death. Doulas operate in many ways, including leading memorialization projects, planning vigils, and offering bedside support.

The modern end-of-life doula role emerged in the early 2000s. CHC began its end-of-life doula program in 2024, following a period of considering the concept from afar.

CHC Volunteer Services Manager Kristiana Donahue spoke about the initial push to begin the program.

“It is a relatively new concept in the hospice industry, but it has been on our radar for quite some time,” Donahue said. “When our CEO, John Mastrojohn, started here three years ago, he said, ‘I want to do this,’ so we made it a priority to add to the care that our patients and families receive at the end of life.”

After examining other doula programs and various training materials, CHC developed a program for committed volunteers.

Each CHC end-of-life doula works as a general volunteer for the non-profit, often starting off as a home visit or patient volunteer before moving to work as a doula. From there, the volunteer must take a 16-hour course and shadow a current doula to become fully trained in the practice.

CHC also provides doula training to certain staff members, including nurses, certified nursing assistants, and social workers, allowing them a deeper understanding of this discipline of end-of-life care. While staff do not take on doula roles full-time, this training helps the professional care team and volunteers operate as a cohesive unit.

Because the doula role is primarily filled by volunteers, the program comes at no extra cost to those who utilize it. Families served by CHC who are interested in the program can inform their care team and will then be put in contact with a doula.

The decision to work with a doula is deeply personal and relies on collaboration from both the doula and the family. Donahue shared more about the relationship between doulas and families.

“Sometimes, in the middle of the grief journey, families don’t have the mental or emotional bandwidth to come up with the ideas on their own. A doula can help families with ways to honor their loved one,” Donahue said. “If families are open to that and sharing or discussing those types of ideas, they would be really great candidates to work with an end-of-life doula.

From initial connection, doulas work with families to identify specific needs throughout the process and meet with families as needed to help fulfill these needs.

One thing emphasized throughout the process is the connection between families and their loved one receiving hospice care. CHC doulas have a number of ways to do this, including guided affirmations through both vocalization and symbolic exercises.

In the past, exercises have included writing positive things about the patient on river rocks or sharing positive memories while tying embroidery floss to the patient as well as each member of the family. Through activities like this, doulas create a dedicated space for families and patients to connect, as well as give them a physical representation of one another.

“After the patient passes away, the nice thing is that that family member still has that physical remembrance. They know that there’s a physical connection between the two,” Donahue said. “We do things like that to create those specific purposeful moments for the patient and the family.”

Outside of family support, CHC end-of-life doulas also consistently round at the organization’s inpatient units, providing non-medical services to residents in need.

The role of a doula requires dedication and reliability, drawing from the ability of the volunteer to meet families and patients where they are at in order to create an impactful experience. CHC seeks to reinforce this strength through direct support for its doulas. The non-profit provides monthly check-ins, allowing each doula to debrief and receive resources as needed.

While still relatively new as an aspect of mainstream hospice care, end-of-life doulas offer an extension of compassionate care that allows families and patients to feel comfortable and uplifted during their vulnerable moments. CHC’s work in developing this program adds to its growing array of holistic and dignified care.

“Not many organizations have end-of-life doula programs. It’s still pretty new, and we will continue to grow it,” Donahue said. “We have a tight-knit community, and they’re very passionate. We have a wonderful group of doulas.”

For more information about volunteering, you can visit Center for Hospice Care’s volunteer page, which includes a volunteer application. For more information about the Center for Hospice Care, you can visit its website.