For Families & Caregivers
Overwhelmed caring for a dying spouse or parent?
When you are caring for a dying loved one, the physical and emotional toll can be overwhelming. I offer non-medical, in-home end-of-life support, overnight vigil presence, and logistical guidance that supplements your hospice team and gives you the respite you need to keep going.
How to keep someone comfortable at home at the end of life
Keeping someone comfortable at home involves managing their physical environment, assisting with hygiene and gentle repositioning, and recognizing non-verbal signs of distress. I guide families through practical comfort-care steps, working alongside your hospice nurses so that physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are all met under one roof.
Finding overnight help for a dying parent
Overnight help ensures your parent is closely attended and never alone during their final transition. I offer overnight bedside vigils so that family caregivers can sleep, recharge, and return to their loved one with clear minds and open hearts. No one should have to choose between resting and being present.
In-home care options: alternatives to a hospice facility
Many families prefer the comfort of home to a clinical facility. By combining visiting hospice nurses with dedicated non-medical end-of-life support, you can create a comprehensive, dignified care plan right in your own living room: medical oversight from hospice, and steady human presence and logistical help from me.
Understanding your care team
Medical hospice vs. non-medical end-of-life support
| Feature | Medical Hospice Team | Non-Medical End-of-Life Support |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Medical care, symptom control, and pain management. | Emotional, logistical, and holistic physical comfort. |
| Time spent in home | Short, periodic visits (typically 1 to 3 hours per week). | Extended hours, including overnight vigils and long daytime respite. |
| Medication | Prescribes and administers clinical pain medications. | Tracks medication schedules; provides non-clinical comfort measures. |
| Caregiver support | Provides basic education on the dying process. | Offers deep emotional support, household logistical help, and physical respite. |
Primary focus
Medical Hospice Team
Medical care, symptom control, and pain management.
Non-Medical End-of-Life Support
Emotional, logistical, and holistic physical comfort.
Time spent in home
Medical Hospice Team
Short, periodic visits (typically 1 to 3 hours per week).
Non-Medical End-of-Life Support
Extended hours, including overnight vigils and long daytime respite.
Medication
Medical Hospice Team
Prescribes and administers clinical pain medications.
Non-Medical End-of-Life Support
Tracks medication schedules; provides non-clinical comfort measures.
Caregiver support
Medical Hospice Team
Provides basic education on the dying process.
Non-Medical End-of-Life Support
Offers deep emotional support, household logistical help, and physical respite.
Hospice and a doula are not either/or. A doula complements your hospice team and never replaces medical care. If you are not yet enrolled in hospice, I can help you understand whether it is time to ask.
New to the idea of working with a doula? I am Zac Reichert, a psychologist building a Seattle end-of-life doula practice. I will always be straight with you about where I am in this work and what I can honestly offer your family.
About my background and approachYou do not have to hold this alone
Let's talk about what your family needs.
A free thirty-minute call to talk through where things are, what kind of help would lighten the load, and whether I am the right fit. Sliding-scale and pro-bono availability for first families.