Since 1997, Second Wind Dreams® has focused on geriatric care specifically in the area of dementia. Our focus now includes an end-of-life program for those with dementia, thus making our services for dementia care full circle.

The goal of this program is to provide caregivers with tools necessary to help engage the person at the end of life. An Empathic Transitions kit is provided to build on engagement and engender feelings of inclusiveness and empathy.

At the end of their disease, they lose communication skills both receptively and expressively. This makes it difficult for caregivers to know the best way to engage with them. Engagement in late-stage dementia is important to their wellbeing and quality of life. However, our experience has shown that little engagement except for clinical care is happening, due to lack of knowledge.

As we began to assess the abilities of people at the end stage, we piloted various ways to engage them. It has been eye opening for staff to watch as we interact with patients. Staff members have said things like, “I didn’t even know she could talk” and “he has a sense of humor”. Incorrect assumptions are made about inabilities when in fact engagement activities result in decrease in agitation, gives the person a feeling of involvement and of course, the attention goes a long way to compliance.

In addition, we have spent time studying how to provide the best empathic care when death is imminent. This final stage is a delicate dance between medication management, environment and empathic support from family and caregivers. As the brain changes to its final end, the person is nonverbal, opens their eyes briefly and slightly, their breathing starts to change, and other physiological changes begin. We have developed an imminent care package within the Empathic Transitions kit to help increase the likelihood of comfort, support and empathy. Sometimes the person is without family support for various reasons. It becomes necessary for caregivers to assume that critical role.

Included in this webinar is your own Empathic Transitions Kit-presentation is 1 hour and includes:

1. To equip participants with how the brain dies and why certain items can still create engagement.
2. Participants will be equipped with tools to support the person in the final stage.

An Empathic Transitions Dementia Death Doula provides non-medical, holistic support and comfort to the dying person with dementia and their family, which may include education and guidance as well as emotional, spiritual and practical care. This can include respite care, vigil assistance, bereavement support and community education, all within the realm of advanced dementia care. It is a person who is experienced in deathbed guidance, before, during and just after death.

“Being a Dementia Death Doula has given me the skills to make end-of-life transitions more comfortable and dignified for those with dementia.” – Dementia Death Doula Graduate

Please complete this application to apply for the next Dementia Death Doula training class.

The Dementia Death Doula Certification Class hosted in Roswell GA and is only $1200:

• 14 hours in-person training
• 6 hours on Zoom with experts in the field of dementia and dying
• Copy of exclusive manual with extensive insights and information for Dementia Death Doulas
• Empathic Transitions Kit
• Ongoing support in our Dementia Death Doula groups 
• Quarterly meetings with experts in end-of-life care
• Access to the Dementia Death Doula portal with updates and materials
• Opportunities to network with other Dementia Death Doulas and business growth
• Materials necessary to provide training to your community and eldercare staff
• Annual membership perks include training materials, continued portal access, and community networking opportunities