Heart to Hearth Care
We offer heart-centered, holistic care for Elders and those facing advanced illness in the Woodstock, NY area through compassionate, contemplative caregiving and end-of-life doula support.
As our community grows older, we are committed to honoring life's transitions— loss, aging, and dying.
Our services are designed for individuals seeking alternatives to institutionalized care, offering support for those living alone and respite for full-time caregivers, ensuring no one bears the burden of care alone.
We begin with an initial meeting to understand your needs or those of your loved one, creating a personalized care plan that evolves as circumstances change. Our non-medical care nurtures not only physical well-being but also emotional and spiritual needs.
We collaborate with your existing care circle and medical team to provide seamless support, meeting you wherever you call home. Through deep listening and compassionate inquiry, we offer space for healing, connection, and peace.
Our Services
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Day-to-Day Care
As we age, support and routine in daily activities become increasingly important. We offer hands-on assistance with mobility, bathing, dressing, errands, meal preparation, range-of-motion exercises, and gentle touch or massage. To ensure continuity of care and clear communication, we provide regular updates to the care circle—weekly, monthly, or as needed.
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Advanced Illness Care
In addition to essential daily care, we collaborate with your medical team to ensure your evolving needs are met as illness progresses. This level of support is designed for those with a terminal diagnosis or receiving hospice care. Our care may include medication reminders, assistance with toileting and incontinence care, bathing, dressing, mobility support, repositioning and transfers, symptom monitoring for communication with the hospice team, and providing gentle touch, massage, or other comfort measures.
As trained end-of-life doulas, we offer a compassionate presence, bearing witness to all that arises during this profound time. We provide emotional and spiritual support, guidance through life review and end-of-life planning, and ensure this sacred transition is met with dignity, care, and connection.
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Death Care
Death care includes bedside vigil and after-death care.
Bedside vigil occurs when a person is actively dying, offering a time for devoted presence. Loved ones may create an altar, sing, pray, meditate, or share stories, and we assist in crafting a safe, sacred space. This vigil may last for hours, days, or longer. We provide education, advocacy, and grounding support, ensuring the person remains comfortable while emphasizing reverence, peace, and comfort during this crucial time when non-medical care is most needed.
Additionally, we continue to offer assistance with bathing, dressing, repositioning, transfers, symptom monitoring (in coordination with the hospice team and care circle), incontinence care, and providing gentle touch, massage, or other comfort measures.
If present at the time of death, we ensure the person's wishes are honored. If the person desired to lay in honor, we prepare the body with a ritual bath, anointing with oils, and dressing for a home funeral or before the body is moved from the home.
We support the circle of care and community by facilitating rituals and ceremonies throughout this time. We also assist with arrangements for body disposition and memorials at any stage during our care.