RESPONSIBILITY OF THE END-OF-LIFE DOULA

• The End-of-Life Doula will follow the laws for a home aid/companion aid in the state of Florida, as defined by 59A-18.009 Homemakers or Companions.

(1) The homemaker shall have the following responsibilities

(a) To maintain the home in the optimum state of cleanliness and safety depending upon the client’s and the caregiver’s resources;

(b) To perform the functions generally undertaken by the natural homemaker, including such duties as preparation of meals, laundry, and shopping;

(c) To perform casual, cosmetic assistance, such as brushing the client’s hair, assisting with make-up, filing and polishing nails, with the exception of clipping nails for diabetic patients;

(d) To stabilize the client when walking, as needed, by holding the client’s arm or hand; and,

(e) To report any unusual incidents or changes in the patient’s or client’s behavior to the person(s) designated by the client.

(2) The companion shall have the following responsibilities:

(a) To provide companionship for the patient or client;

(b) To provide escort services such as taking the patient or client to the health care provider;

(c) To provide light housekeeping tasks such as preparation of a meal or laundering the client’s personal garments;

(d) To perform casual, cosmetic assistance, such as brushing the client’s hair, assisting with make-up, filing and polishing nails, with the exception of clipping nails for diabetic patients;

(e) To stabilize the client when walking, as needed, by holding the client’s arm or hand; and,

(f) To report any unusual incidents or changes in the patient’s or client’s behavior to the person(s) designated by the client.

(3) Homemakers and companions shall be responsible for providing to patient and nurse registry copies of any documentation which reflects the services provided. This will be stored by the nurse registry in the client’s file. The nurse registry is not obligated to review patient or client records per section 400.506(20), F.S., but the nurse registry is not prohibited from reviewing the records and may do so.

Rulemaking Authority 400.497, 400.506 FS. Law Implemented 400.497, 400.506 FS. History–New 2-9-93, Amended 1-27-94, 12-24-00, 5-4-15.

As I am not working under an agency and choose to be an independent contractor for gainful employment, I am required to carry professional liability insurance.

• Confidentiality: It is my professional responsibility to maintain confidentiality regarding any identifying personal or medical information that is shared with me. Although I am not a mandated reporter, I will operate as if I were, meaning that if there is any suspicion of child, vulnerable adult, or elder abuse or neglect- it must be reported to the relevant authorities. Any notes or records will be kept confidential and in a secured location.
• Respect: Clients and/or family caregivers should expect to be treated with respect, dignity and compassion at all times.
• Response Time: I will make every attempt to respond to phone calls/voicemails and texts within one hour. If you do not hear back in that timeframe, please recontact me. I will respond to emails within 24 hours.
• Availability: I will make every attempt to be available as needed when issues arise, but I am not able to provide 24-hour on-call service. My hours will focus on Monday through Friday 8 am to 6 pm, but arrangements can be made outside of those hours on a case-by-case basis.

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CLIENT/FAMILY CAREGIVER

• Texts, phone calls and emails are all appropriate methods of communication.
• If you need to reschedule a session, please notify me as soon as possible, via text, phone, or email.
• PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL ME WITH URGENT OR TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION, QUESTIONS, OR CONCERNS.
• If you text an urgent issue, please write: “URGENT” at the beginning of the text.
• My cell phone and computer are not encrypted and you should not communicate any sensitive personal or medical information in this manner.
• If for any reason you decide to discontinue working with (Hilary Caskey) With Humor and Grace End-of-Life Doula Services, please communicate this as soon as possible.