A Significant Shift in End-of-Life Care
A significant and very important part of this emerging movement is the work being done by The National End-of-life Doula Alliance (NEDA). Founded in 2017, NEDA is a 501c6 non-profit membership organization comprised of end-of-life doulas, trainers, and others interested in the field. Our organization is designed to serve as a diverse and inclusive “big tent” for those who share its mission, vision, and values and who seek to learn about, provide, and promote support from end-of-life doulas (EOLDs). NEDA is a welcoming, and transparent network of individuals and groups from many backgrounds, philosophies, and skill levels who come together to share their wisdom with each other and the individuals, families, communities, and caregivers.
We welcome you to The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA), and encourage you to look around our website to learn more about the impact we are making on how people prepare for and experience end of life. Whether you are aspiring to become an EOLD or are already practicing, training others, working in a related health/death care role, looking for help for yourself or a loved one, or simply curious about the field, this website is filled with a wealth of helpful information. If you don’t find what you are looking for, please know that we welcome feedback and invite you to contact us anytime.
NEDA’s mission is to influence positive changes in how people experience end of life by developing and advocating efforts that improve access to a broad spectrum of holistic non-medical support provided by end-of-life doulas (EOLDs). Our goal is to elevate the role of EOLDs into a position that is recognized, understood, utilized, and well-integrated into mainstream end-of-life care practices.
NEDA is a 501(c)(6) non-profit membership organization that serves as a big tent for those who provide or wish to provide or enhance the provision of non-medical support to people who are planning for or experiencing the end of life. This umbrella organization offers ways to come together and to honor both what we have in common—and what sets us apart—as we share ideas and grow this profession. We are an inclusive and transparent network that welcomes all EOLD practitioners, trainers, and other interested parties, irrespective of background, personal identity and culture, level of experience, or area of focus—just as long as they share the common desire to improve the way people experience the end of life. Although NEDA is not, in itself, a training or accrediting organization, our goal is to help ensure that the support our members provide to others is based on a strong foundation of knowledge, compassion, integrity, and skill.
Who We Are
What is NEDA?
stronger together
End-of-life doulas (EOLDs) provide non-medical, holistic support and comfort to people preparing for, or experiencing end of life by offering education and guidance; emotional, social, and spiritual care; logistical and practical assistance, and more--before during and after death. End-of-life doulas complement and supplement the work of family and other caregivers (including hospice providers).
The Definition of End-of-Life Doulas
We are a resource for those who seek to learn, promote and provide education on End-of-Life Care
welcome to NEDA
The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance “NEDA” is a diverse and inclusive 501c6 non-profit membership business league that serves as a “big tent” for those who share its mission, vision, and values; and who seek to learn about, promote, and provide educational and professional support for its members.
As we empower each other thus we empower others.
- Neda's purpose is to help individuals gain knowledge, achieve practical skills, and further develop other attributes such as cognitive and emotional self-awareness that are necessary to best serve people who are preparing for or experiencing the end of life.
- Membership is open to any and all who support the mission, vision, and values, agree to abide by the Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics, and meet the requirements of the membership category level that they join (EOLD, EOLD Trainer; Doula/Trainer Combo, Friend/Organization-Business). NEDA welcomes aspiring and practicing EOLDs, trainers, and other interested parties, regardless of experience, training, area of focus, or application--paid or unpaid.
- NEDA serves as a reliable, centralized source of information that illuminates the need for and benefits of EOLDs, by reaching various audiences beyond its members (e.g., potential partners and referral sources such as hospices, medical professionals, long-term care providers; other EOL orgs, community/family caregivers and members of the general public).
- NEDA is a leading force in defining the roles, responsibilities (scope of practice, doula model of care), attributes, and core competencies of EOLDs, setting best-practice standards, ethical and practical guidelines, and measures of excellence.
- NEDA offers various educational resources and networking opportunities to help members raise awareness and to build skills and visibility necessary to be of best service to others, including but not limited to:
- NEDA also seeks to build partnerships/collaborative/cooperative alliances and programming with other EOL-care focused organizations and experts in the field to create synergy and added credibility/value.
- NEDA explores and monitors issues that challenge and opportunities that enhance the effectiveness and success of the EOLD field of practice:
- perception and understanding of the EOLD role in the larger field of EOL care
- confusion, conflict, competition, wariness due to such broad diversity of the field
- monetization/commodification/
commercialization issues - need for regulation, formal oversight, credentials/certification/licensure, etc.
- quality assurance—how to avoid mediocrity and harm in both individual practice and training programs
- Neda's purpose is to help individuals gain knowledge, achieve practical skills, and further develop other attributes such as cognitive and emotional self-awareness that are necessary to best serve people who are preparing for or experiencing the end of life.
- Membership is open to any and all who support the mission, vision, and values, agree to abide by the Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics, and meet the requirements of the membership category level that they join (EOLD, EOLD Trainer; Doula/Trainer Combo, Friend/Organization-Business). NEDA welcomes aspiring and practicing EOLDs, trainers, and other interested parties, regardless of experience, training, area of focus, or application--paid or unpaid.
- NEDA serves as a reliable, centralized source of information that illuminates the need for and benefits of EOLDs, by reaching various audiences beyond its members (e.g., potential partners and referral sources such as hospices, medical professionals, long-term care providers; other EOL orgs, community/family caregivers and members of the general public).
- NEDA is a leading force in defining the roles, responsibilities (scope of practice, doula model of care), attributes, and core competencies of EOLDs, setting best-practice standards, ethical and practical guidelines, and measures of excellence.
- NEDA offers various educational resources and networking opportunities to help members raise awareness and to build skills and visibility necessary to be of best service to others, including but not limited to:
- NEDA also seeks to build partnerships/collaborative/cooperative alliances and programming with other EOL-care focused organizations and experts in the field to create synergy and added credibility/value.
- NEDA explores and monitors issues that challenge and opportunities that enhance the effectiveness and success of the EOLD field of practice:
- Website
- Member Newsletters
- Directories
- Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
- Education: Informational webinars, book clubs, special events, etc.
- Networking opportunities: member socials, listening circles, regional and topical groups, etc.
- Promotional tools such as presentations, press releases, rack cards, posters (in the member portal)
- Ethical and Professional guidelines
- Proficiency Assessment Processes
