The Shira Ruskay Center

The non-sectarian Doula to Accompany and Comfort Program trains Doula volunteers who provide companionship and comfort for people whose life expectancy is 18 months or less. Doulas serve those who have limited support from family and friends. When approaching death, people often experience fear, loneliness and isolation. Well-prepared Doulas, working with one person at a time, can minimize the sense of isolation, provide emotional comfort, assist with practical concerns and advocate on behalf of people with life limiting illness.

Volunteers are called "Doulas," using the analogy of companions for women in childbirth. There are similarities between the sensitive care required at birth and approaching death.

Well-prepared Doulas provide:

Emotional, spiritual and social support
Comfort and companionship
Advocacy

The Doula to Accompany and Comfort program:

Recruits, trains and supervises Doulas who visit people near the end-of-life in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and at home.
Provides training for volunteers and staff members at institutions that want to recruit and supervise their own volunteers.
Provides consultation to organizations interested in replicating the volunteer Doula to Accompany and Comfort Program outside of New York City.

The Doula to Accompany and Comfort program was featured in the Sunday New York Times article titled "In Death Watch For Stranger, Becoming a Friend to the End" (January 25, 2004)

To learn more about the Doula program, contact Judith Kahn, MA, Director, 212-399-2685 x 220, jkahn@jbfcs.org

©2008 The Shira Ruskay Center
120 West 57th Street · New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 664-1632 · Fax: (212) 399-2475 ·
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