Palliative & End-Of-Life

Palliative or End-Of-Life Care assists people with navigating death and dying, whether it’s at home, in a hospital, or in a facility. You can choose to make this once-in-a-lifetime experience profound and meaningful or quick and straightforward.

Why hire a Thanadoula or personal attendant?

  • Maintain clarity and grounding in times of decision-making

  • Explore ways to make peace with the process of death & dying

  • Advocate for advanced care plans in hospitals or care centers

  • Help balance work life and personal well-being

  • Find solace in times of uncertainty, grief and bereavement

Requirements for Palliative / EOLC with Desiree

  • A prognosis of 6 months or less

  • A recent loss or preparing for the loss of a loved one

To inquire about Palliative or End-Of-Life support, availabilities and eligibility, book a free consultation call. Medical services are NOT included.

Offerings include:

Advanced (Care) Planning: Virtual or in-person

- Help make informed decisions on Palliative care, Advanced Medical Directives and MAID, with respect to the dying person's values, morals & wishes

- Locating documents and resources for memorial, burial, and funeral planning

- Education on the signs & symptoms of dying

- Writing obituaries or eulogies

- Legacy Project building

  • - Funeral or celebration of life arrangements: catering, location, logistics

  • - Preparation for dying at home or in care

    75 Minutes: $60
    In-person travel fee: $25

Companionship for the critically ill

  • Signs & symptom tracking

  • Environment maintenance/nesting

  • Food preparation & feeding

  • Diaper/bandage change

  • Legacy projects (art, goodbye letters, events, meetings, etc.)

  • Compassionate touch, craniosacral energy work, reflexology

  • Pre- / Post-operation care for pain or swelling management, somatic meditation

  • Advocate for Advanced Care plans

  • Extended presence in active stages of dying​ (final hours)

    6 Hours: $140

Caregiver Respite for friends & family

For primary caregivers in times of exhaustion, burnout or overwhelm.

  • Assisting with chores and errands

  • Last-minute watch/visitation of the dying person

  • Child & youth supervision and/or pet sitting

  • Anti-Stress massage (90 minutes)


    4 Hours: $140

Grief & Bereavement Support: Virtual or in-person

  • Monthly Wellness check-in

  • Memorial planning support

  • Anti-stress massage (45 minutes)

75 Minutes: $60
In-person travel fee: $25

ARTICLES:

Advance Care Planning in Canada: Why Your Wishes Don’t Always Travel with You, by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association

https://www.mcgill.ca/palliativecare/article/end-life-doulas, by Devon and Sue Phillips

https://vaughanwellness.com/blog/the-lifesaving-benefits-of-massage-for-dialysis-patients/, by Diana Del Rosario, RMT

Certification & Training

Certificate of completion in Contemplative End-Of-Life (Thanadoula) Care for Desiree Raquepo from the Institute of Traditional Medicine, dated May 30, 2025.
Certificate of completion for a palliative care volunteer training program awarded to Desiree Raquepo, with logos of The Council on Palliative Care and McGill Palliative Care, and signatures from Linda Crelinsten and Maged Nicolas.