http://www.thecitizen.org.au/features/death-and-dying-and-death-cafe#sthash.pclpR9yl.dpuf
https://open.abc.net.au/explore/102055
I have completed Death Doula Australia training 1 & advanced, Death Doula Australia training Death of a Baby, Deathwalker 1 and advanced ,Midwifing Death Amicus.
Clinical Pastoral Education ( Monash Hospital)
On advisory committee for Secular Spiritual Care Network SSCN
On advisory committee for Vic Gov Palliative Care Clinical Insight committee. On call Buddhist chaplain all major hospitals. Palliative Liaison coordinator Buddhist Council Victoria
Qualified Mindfulness practitioner, and daily practitioner in personal life.(40 years)
What I can assist you with:
As an end of life advocate my role is to smooth the sometimes frenetic and highly emotional stage of end of life. For family, loved ones and the person at end of life. If appropriate I help to get into place essential legal documents such as Advance Care Directive, Medical Treatment Decision Maker etc. Engage in compassionate open talks about the things that are important to the person at EOL. Do they want to die at home, what do they want to be done with their body? Donate to Melbourne University, cremate or burial. Natural burial, shroud etc. I also attend medical appointments for support and to take notes.
Assisting and organising Living Funerals or Living Wakes.
Loved ones can’t always be present, I can sit vigil with person at EOL. This can be in hospital, nursing home or at home.
Assist in setting up personal room nursing home so as to resemble home and lessen the anxiety that is so often felt.
I often liaise with health allied team on behalf of person at end of life and if required attend medical appointments. Assist with sharing my knowledge and network in working out Centrelink, ACAT, funeral options and encourage community involvement for the final memorial and funeral.
I am experienced in washing the body in a ritual or ceremonial manner, depending on person’s preferences.
Once the dialogue begins, people become less challenged and more creative. Especially when they learn how much control they have. A sense of humour, patience and non judgmental attitude are, to me, essential skills.For loved ones to be as much a part, or as little, of this as possible is my wish. You may phone me and we can talk about your concerns, your fears and your ideas. Most of my work is through referral and I do not advertise.
Why do I do this work?:
My own personal experience has helped to hone my skills at end of life. I saw deaths that were peaceful and some not so peaceful. I saw some messy situations that could have been avoided with more knowledge, experience and strong advocacy. Some experiences I have noted below.
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My grandfather died at home, I was by his side in bed. He had chosen to refuse food and water. My 8 year old son was present.
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My husband died in car accident when I was 28 years old
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My fiance killed himself, I was 32 years old.
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My beautiful granddaughter died unexpectedly at 8 hours old
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My gorgeous nephew died at 3 days old and died in my arms.
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I was a carer for my loved mother who had Alzheimer’s, she died in a nursing home with me present.
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I am honoured to help share my experience and knowledge so others can do this work themselves.For loved ones to be present in their fullest capacity and being supported in whatever way by myself, and the wisdom of our ancestors.
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I have been with many people who were dying and each one is unique. They are my greatest teachers.
Testimonials
2018
My family met Annie when my Dad, was diagnosed with Motor
Neurone Disease. We were struggling to understand the disease, the health care
services, the practical steps that had to be organised and the emotions. Annie helped us in so many ways. She gently guided us through the system and helped us make decisions that ensured he was able to die at home with his wife, kids and grandchildren by his side. He was
safe and supported and so were we. We were empowered to look after him in our
way. Annie managed to provide us all with a blanket of care that stretched from
dealing with the aged care system, liaising with health care providers,
supporting us to work out a plan for dads death that satisfied his desires and
our needs and allowing all of us to have the difficult conversations that we
needed to have. She was calm, caring and made us feel that no question was
silly and no emotion was unimportant. She became a trusted friend of the family
and a confidant and companion for dad. We were so lucky to find Annie and I
believe that in an ideal world every person would be able to access the services
of an end of life doula to support them thorough this important time. Thank you
Annie.
Virginia, daughter
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Testimonial
for Annie Whitlocke written
by Jennifer Clancy 19/6/2019
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During the recent end-of-life period for our dear
friend, Katrina, Annie was an invaluable and magnificent support and resource,
not just for Katrina, but for her family and her friends. The breadth and depth of Annies knowledge,
compassion and insight was outstanding and beyond what we could have ever
hoped. Annie was able to go beyond the
platitudes and the shallow responses of many people and professionals in
dealing with impending death, and gently open up authentic conversations which
allowed us all to truly engage and share Katrinas end of life experience.
For the ten week period between when the chemotherapy
treatment ceased being effective and her death, our friend and her husband and
sons were held in the warm embrace of Annies quiet practical, emotional and
spiritual wisdom. ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Annie always listened
carefully to the concerns, hopes and fears and was able to suggest and organise
a myriad of services and links to ease and honour the difficult but sacred
period we were experiencingÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Annies
warm and calm manner, and her gorgeous humour, allowed us the confidence to
help Katrina die at home as she so dearly wished.
Annies support was available 24/7 and no request or
question by us was ever too demanding or strange. ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Annie has years of experience as an
end-of-life doula so she has seen and assisted a variety people with terminal
illnesses and their families. ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ This
allows her to be able to be guided by the unique person and family she is
supporting rather than have a single-based approach or response to various
circumstances. ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Sensing that our friend
would be receptive to the idea, Annie asked if she would be interested in a
Living Wake. ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Well, this was just the
most perfect avenue for my friend to farewell her life and friends. ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Annie quietly and humbly made suggestions and
saw to details that culminated in the most beautiful afternoon/early evening
celebration for my friend. ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ The Living
Wake was filled with love, family and friends, wonderful sharing of memories,
stories, images, and symbols, music, food, ritual and sacred moments. ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ My friend participated with a joyful and
contented heart and all of us there felt we had experienced something very very
special.Katrina died just over two
weeks later having had a most meaningful and liberating preparation for her
death.
We cannot thank Annie enough for the special role she
played in guiding us through this time.
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January 2020
From the first moment Annie walked into my house, I
connected to her kind and compassionate heart. I felt very comfortable sharing
with her what has been the most challenging and vulnerable time in my journey
living with a terminal illness. Her openness and non judgmental attitude,
together with a strong desire to be of service, created a space where I felt
held and heard. She helped me to reflect on my journey, my fears, hopes and
challenges. Annie also generously shared with me many resources as well as practical
suggestions, which I really appreciated. Thank you Annie and may others benefit
from your offerings as much as I did.
~ Lee Gefen
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April 2020
I cannot recommend Annie highly enough. My mum was in a nursing home with dementia and was at a palliative stage when I contacted Annie. Annie returned my call promptly and asked lots of pertinent questions about my Mum so she could make a good connection with her. The stage of Mums dementia meant she would often refuse to have people in her room- especially new faces- but Annie was never thrown out! Annies amazing warmth and understanding led to a connection with my mum that made me feel so relieved and happy. Annie communicated after every visit and showed a great understanding of the dying process and what was needed on an emotional and practical level.
I spent many hours with Annie in the final days before my mothers death and she not only supported my mum but was there for me too. She guided me through one of the most stressful periods of my life. I couldnt have done it without her.
Any time you need a referral/ testimonial or interview stuff I am happy to help. I feel so fortunate to have listened to the ABC radio show about death doulas because it led me to you. I think more people need to know about it.
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My experience and training:
Current Police Check and Working with Children Check
2013 and current – On call Buddhist Chaplain for Monash Medical Centre and Buddhist Council Victoria
2013 and current – Volunteer Spiritual Carer for acute hospitals
2013 and current- Mindful Meditation, relaxation therapy, (2018) music therapy for Dialysis and Peter MacCallum Moorabbin, inpatients and Chemo Day unit.
Volunteer for Lifecircle as a trained Community Mentor, to mentor the carers of the dying.
Death Cafe Facilitator
Presenter at inaugural festival of Death and Dying Melbourne 2017
Presenter Natural Death and Dying Workshop 2016
Public Speaker and trainer for end of life in Buddhism, in hospitals, interfaith and community
Mindfulness Meditation Osteoporosis Support Group Mount Waverley
Personally I really like transparency, so I may have overdone this:
1984 International Yoga Teachers diplomaÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ IYTA
2008-2011 Executive Committee Morning Peninsula Interfaith Network
2010 Certificate 1V in Celebrancy Academy of Celebrancy Australia
2010 Life Celebrations Civil Celebrancy Academy of Celebrancy Australia
2013 CPE Clinical Pastoral Education Monash Medical Centre
2013 Spiritual Care TrainingÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Buddhist Council Victoria
2013 Grief and Bereavement supportÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Australian College Grief and Bereavement
2013 When a Baby DiesÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Australian College Grief and Bereavement
2013 Preparing for Death Workshop Irmhild Kleinhenz, Pippa White, Lisa Devine
2014, 2015ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Understanding Dementia Online
2014 Deathwalker Training Zenith Virago
2014 Understanding Death and Caring for the Dying Spiritual Care Programme Australia
2014, 2015, 2016 How to have a family meetingÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Monash Medical Centre
2015 Mindfulness Train the trainer programme Dr Craig Hassad Monash University
2015 Mindfulness for wellbeing and Peak PerformanceÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Dr Craig Hassad Monash University
2015 Elder Abuse PreventionÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ State Government Victoria
2015 Spiritual Care TrainingÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Spiritual Health Victoria
2015 Respecting Patient Choices ACP Austin Hospital
2015 Advanced Care Planning Facilitator Workshop Austin Hospital
2015 Deepening Death Walker training Zenith Virago
2015 End of Life Consultant ( Denise Love)
2016 Compassionate Care : Getting it right University Dundee online
2016 Advanced Death Doula (Denise Love)
2016 Positive Neuroplasticity and Professional Course Dr Rick Hanson
2016 Advance Care Planning in Palliative Care APNA
2017 When a Baby DiesÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Denise Love
2017 Advanced Skills in after death and funeral care intensive workshopÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Natural Grace
2017 Advance Care Planning Forum
2020 Mental Health First Aid
Memberships:
NDAN Natural Death Advocacy Network
Dying with Dignity
The NDCC core commitments are:
- An acceptance that death is the natural and sacred end of life.
- The acknowledgement that indigenous peoples have always known that death is the natural and sacred end of life.
- Respect for the diversity of spiritual, religious, cultural and scientific beliefs.
- To embody a holistic, sustainable, compassionate and kind approach.
- To take action for positive social change around the experience of sudden and expected death.
- To demystify dying, palliative care, death, funerals, body disposal, loss, grief and bereavement.
- To support people to be well informed and to participate in appropriate and meaningful end of life and after death care.
