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ABOUT MISTY

Hello and welcome. My name is Misty and I am a trained End of Life Doula and Dementia Advocate serving New York City. I was drawn to this work because I deeply believe the end of our lives is just as sacred as the beginning. I aim to empower my clients about their end of life choices and educate them to lessen the anxiety and fear surrounding death and dementia. Throughout, I strive to be an informed, calming and compassionate presence. I am here to assist with your questions and help navigate the path forward. Contact me to schedule a free consultation.

The end of life deserves as much beauty, care and respect as the beginning.

Anonymous

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What is an end of life doula?

An end of life doula is a trained non-medical professional who provides emotional, physical, and educational support for someone nearing death. Much like a birth doula assists the mother and family with her comfort and plans for the prospective birth; end of life doulas assist in planning for the eventual death of the dying person while making every moment as comfortable and memorable as possible, a role that is often too difficult to be played by close family members and friends.

What is a dementia advocate?

A dementia advocate is a non-medical guide, navigator, coach, and support partner who is dementia-literate, intimately understands the progression of the disease including the complexities and emotional toll.  They have expertise in effective care-giving practices for people diagnosed with dementia and recognize and give considerable attention to the needs of the caregiver. A dementia advocate will help prepare for the future while living successfully in the moment by providing trusted one-on-one coaching and dedicated support.

SERVICES  OFFERED

Currently, I serve in three capacities: end of life doula, dementia advocate and respite caregiver.
 
As an end of life doula, I can offer the following:
  • Companion the dying and the their loved ones. Provide the opportunity and space to speak openly and frankly about dying.
  • Assistance with and/or review of all advance care planning and directives.
  • Assistance planning a living funeral, life celebration, traditional funeral, memorial and provide additional information about burial choices.
  • Explore the meaning of the dying person’s life and legacy which may include legacy projects.
  • Recommend interventions for comfort. Provide hands-on, non-medical comfort measures, such as guided imagery, breath work, Reiki and relaxation techniques.
  • Incorporate traditions or create new rituals to mark special moments and support the spiritual practices of all involved.
  • Assist with physical and practical care to ease the burden on caregivers and provide respite care for exhausted caregivers and family.
  • Explain the signs and symptoms of the dying process and be available to sit bedside, if desired.
  • Advocate and mediate to assure final wishes are honored. 
  • Guide family and loved ones through the early stages of grieving.
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As a dementia advocate, I can offer the following:

  • Provide emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to traverse the changes brought by the disease.

  • Assistance with planning for a future that can often seem uncertain, including assistance with advance care planning and directives.

  • Individualized education and training about memory loss and dementia for family, friends and/or caregivers, and what to expect as the disease progresses.

  • Implement strategies for improving communication, minimizing problematic “behaviors,” and address family dynamics which may complicate the caregiving relationship.

  • Provide personalized interventions for common problems of care such as issues dressing, showering, taking medicine, eating, etc.

  • Cultivate an environment to maximize the diagnosed person’s independence and restore a sense of normalcy in the home to the extent possible.

  • Help navigate and choose the right living option by reviewing options, and supporting interviews.

  • If necessary, support a transition into memory care including meetings with staff alongside family members to clarify preferences and routines. 

  • Serve as a trusted, point person in times of need when family are unavailable.

  • Provide emotional support aimed at reducing caregiver stress and isolation, and increasing confidence and effectiveness.

  • Assistance with navigating the grief and loss that comes from caring for someone living with dementia.

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As a respite personal care aide or caregiver, I can offer the following:
  • Provide partial or supplement care, overnight assistance, and/or respite care. 
  • Assist with daily needs: shopping, errands, personal hygiene, dressing, meal preparation, laundry, cleaning, etc. 
  • Assist with prescribed physical, occupational and speech therapy exercises. 
  • Pet care to include walks, minor grooming, cleaning of bedding and litter boxes, trips to the vet.
  • Travel to and from appointments and securing in home services, as needed.
  • Documentation of relevant health information.
  • Serve as coordinator of care for all caregivers to assure you have consistent quality care. Assistance securing additional caregivers, as needed.
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I have experience working with clients with a variety of comorbidities including Multiple Sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s Disease, cancer, Alzheimer's Disease, and Frontotemporal Dementia. Additionally, I have supported clients through Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED). 

MY CORE BELIEFS

The end of life is an inevitable universal truth. There is no way around it. It will happen to all of us.

 

My approach is to empower my clients about their choices and educate them to lessen the anxiety and fear surrounding death. Throughout, I strive to be an informed, calming and compassionate presence. I aim to make the dying process more pleasant for everyone involved.​

 

With each client I aim to:

  • alleviate the fear surrounding death and to offer a comforting presence during an emotionally sensitive time.

  • provide support for those in the final phase of life, focusing on empowering others to live and die as peacefully as possible, and recognizing dying as a natural part of life.

  • honor the dignity of every individual I work with, their personal opinions, orientation to care, style of interaction with others, the choices they make, as well as their race, religion, sexual orientation, immigration status, lifestyle, and mental or physical disability.

 

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