LGBTQ+ people deserve to die as themselves – not a version of themselves shaped by fear. Yet research shows many older LGBTQ+ Australians still feel forced back into the closet in care settings. This blog explores the unique challenges they face at end of life, why planning ahead matters, and how End-of-Life Doulas can help.
Tag Archives: Palliative Care
What Is a Good Death? (And Who Gets to Decide?)
“Good death” is a term used often in end-of-life care – but what does it actually mean? The answer is different for everyone. Shaped by values, culture, relationships and personal wishes, dying well isn’t a checklist. It’s a deeply personal question worth exploring. This blog looks at what the research tells us, and who gets to decide.
When the System Runs Out, Who’s Still There?
A new study from the University of Sydney confirms what many families already know – dying in Australia can be expensive, confusing and stressful in ways nobody warned you about. When the funding runs out and the clinical team goes home, who’s still there? This is where an End-of-Life Doula makes all the difference.
What Happens When the Professionals Go Home: The Human Side of End-of-Life Care
Most end-of-life care happens away from hospitals, in the quiet spaces of everyday life. When medical appointments end and professionals go home, families are often left navigating the emotional and practical realities of dying. This article explores the role of End-of-Life Doulas and the continuity of support that can guide individuals and families from diagnosis through to death and beyond.
Why End of Life Crisis Happens
Most end-of-life crises are not sudden. They build over time as emotional, practical and relational needs go unmet. This article explores why crisis happens at the end of life, and how earlier, non-clinical support can change the experience for people, families and carers.
End of Life Doulas and Hospital Bed Block: A Missing Piece of the Puzzle
Palliative Care Australia has warned that hospital bed block is rising because people lack enough support in the community. This article explores how End of Life Doulas work alongside clinical teams to help people remain safely at home, reduce unnecessary hospital stays and improve end of life care for families and carers.
End-of-Life Doulas in Australia’s new Support at Home program
How End-of-Life Doulas support the new Support at Home program Australia’s aged care system is changing in a big way. From 1 November 2025, the new Support at Home program will replace the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Program, bringing them together under a single, simpler model. It’s designed to giveContinueContinue reading “End-of-Life Doulas in Australia’s new Support at Home program”
Ritual, Presence and the Lessons of Bali
Rituals in Everyday Life Walking through Bali, I am struck by the rhythm of daily ritual. At almost every doorway, small woven baskets filled with flowers, rice and incense are laid out with care. The air carries the fragrance of frangipani and sandalwood, drifting into the streets. Temples overflow with colour, movement and sound –ContinueContinue reading “Ritual, Presence and the Lessons of Bali”
The Role of End of Life Doulas in Anticipatory Grief
Grief often begins before death. Known as anticipatory grief, it touches families, friends and even the person who is dying. End of Life Doulas provide presence and support during this tender time, helping people feel heard, connected and less alone as they prepare for the final goodbye.
The Unique Value of Doulas in End of Life Care
End of Life Doulas complement medical care by offering the time, presence and advocacy clinical teams can’t always provide. From early planning to post-death support, we guide, listen and hold space, ensuring each person’s final journey is dignified, supported and true to their wishes.
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