Life Happens. Death Happens. A Conversation with an End of Life Doula

<p><strong>Join Kim Hegwood today for a fascinating conversation about life, death, and the role of a doula in the process. Kim will be joined today by Darren Nelson, a transition expert helping families with a loved one on that final journey.</strong></p> <p><strong>Title:</strong> Life Happens. Death Happens. A Conversation with an End of Life Doula</p> <p><strong>Kim and Darren Will Discuss:</strong></p> <ol> <li>How does an end-of-life doula differ from hospice and how they help patients and their families?</li> <li>What are some examples of how a doula can help the dying and their loved ones?</li> <li>Tell me about the Best 3 Months of Life tool that you use to help the dying solidify their end-of-life decisions.</li> <li>What training did you receive to prepare for this work?</li> <li>How are doula’s compensated?</li> <li>In what areas would a doula be able to assist with decisions?</li> <li>How could one locate and hire a doula?</li> </ol> <p>Bio:</p> <p>My name is Darren Nelson, and I am an End-of-Life Doula. An end-of-life doula walks alongside the dying and their family to help them navigate through the whole end-of-life process.</p> <p>My journey began in 2012 when my father became ill with cancer and subsequently passed away at MD Anderson.</p> <p>Shortly after, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and opted out of any treatment, and went into hospice.</p> <p>As her primary caregiver and advocate, I was blessed to walk beside her and implement her wishes.</p> <p>One died without hospice, in a coma and restrained; forcing us to make the decision as a family to let him go.</p> <p>The other chose hospice at home surrounded by her family and her pets. She was able to verbalize her wishes even providing a video for her family after her death.</p> <p>These two deaths changed the course of my life as well as my career path. I wanted to help the dying and their loved ones make educated and well-thought-out decisions. As an end-of-life doula, I can now do so.</p> <p><strong>Contact