Online Courses for Family Caregivers of Someone Who Is Dying | IEOLCA
For families and caregivers

Support for You While Caring for Someone Who Is Dying

When someone you love is dying, you may be carrying questions, responsibilities, and feelings that are hard to put into words. These courses offer clear explanations, everyday examples, and practical companions to keep close, with care for their wishes and your needs. Begin with what would help today.

See the Courses All five for $99
A father and daughter sharing a quiet moment of comfort at home
$29 USD eachOr all five for $99 USD
Self-pacedRead whenever you have a moment
Printable resourcesFill in, print, or save as a PDF
Lifetime accessReturn as your questions change
The IEOLCA approach

Care begins with listening

At IEOLCA, we teach end-of-life doulas to listen, ask what matters, and offer support that follows the person’s wishes. These courses bring that same care into everyday guidance for you: questions you can ask, words you can adapt, and practical ways to share responsibilities.

The Platinum Rule is at the heart of this approach: care for someone the way they wish to be cared for. Alongside that respect for your loved one, there is room for your health, limits, resources, and feelings. You can use these pages at the pace your circumstances allow.

The courses

Choose the support you need right now

Each course stands on its own and explores a different part of caregiving. Choose the one that speaks to your situation, or keep the collection within reach as your questions change.

When Death Is Near

For the final days and hours, and the first days after.

Understanding changes, finding support, and caring through the final days and hours.

$29USD · Lifetime access
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Conversations That Matter

Ways to begin a conversation, listen with care, and respect what stays private.

Words and ways of listening for fears, wishes, memories, and the relationship you share.

$29USD · Lifetime access
Enroll Learn More
Not sure where to start?

Start with what’s on your mind

“Everything feels unfamiliar, and I don’t know where to start.”Caring for Someone Who Is Dying → “They’re sleeping more and eating less. I think the end may be close.”When Death Is Near → “I want to help them feel comfortable, but I’m not sure what would help.”Creating Comfort at the End of Life → “There are things I want to say, and I don’t know how to begin.”Conversations That Matter → “I’m exhausted, and I’m still doing everything myself.”Caring for Yourself While Caring for Another →
A family member and their loved one in a caring conversation at home
Written for families

Thoughtful guidance, practical help

Whether you are a partner, relative, friend, or someone helping from a distance, these pages make room for the life you are living alongside care. The examples acknowledge limited help, changing wishes, mixed feelings, and relationships with complicated histories.

  • Six modules and eighteen text-based lessons in every course
  • A brief example of an imagined family in each lesson
  • Five fillable resources to print, or save as a PDF to share
  • Spaces to gather your thoughts, prepare questions, and record what matters
  • Read on your phone, tablet, or computer, in any order, with lifetime access

All five courses, together

You may want help with different questions as things change. The collection brings together all five topics, so you can return to comfort, conversations, the final days, or your own needs whenever they come into focus.

  • Caring for Someone Who Is Dying
  • When Death Is Near
  • Creating Comfort at the End of Life
  • Conversations That Matter
  • Caring for Yourself While Caring for Another
$99 USD for all five, instead of $145 Get All Five →

A gentle note: these courses offer educational support for families. Please follow your loved one’s care plan and contact their care team with questions about symptoms, medication, or changes in their condition. In an emergency, follow the agreed emergency plan or call local emergency services.

Questions

Questions families ask

Who are these courses for?

These courses are for you if you are caring for someone who is dying: a partner, relative, friend, or someone important in your life. You may be at home, visiting a hospital or care setting, or helping from a distance. You can begin with the experience and questions you have today.

Which course should I start with?

Start with whichever one fits what you’re facing today. Caring for Someone Who Is Dying is a good first step if everything feels new. Each course stands on its own, so you can take one, a few, or all five.

How do the courses work?

After purchase, follow the instructions to create your IEOLCA student account and open your courses in your web browser. Read on your phone, tablet, or computer, in the order that fits your needs. The writing spaces help you gather your thoughts, and the resources can be printed or saved as a PDF.

What does each course include?

Each course includes six modules and eighteen text-based lessons, with explanations, practical possibilities, reflections, and an imagined example in every lesson. A main companion and four supporting resources can be filled in, printed, or saved as a PDF.

Is this medical advice?

The courses offer everyday guidance and questions to bring to your loved one’s care team. Their clinicians provide individualized advice about symptoms, medication, and changes in condition. The examples help you prepare for those conversations and follow the guidance you receive.

How should I use the reflections?

Use the questions in the way that helps today: think about one, write a few words, or take an idea into your day. You can return as your questions change.

How long do I have access?

You have lifetime access to every course you buy.

Are these courses training to become a death doula?

These courses are for your own caregiving situation. They draw on the attentive, person-centered approach we teach end-of-life doulas and offer everyday ways to support the person you care for. They do not provide professional doula certification.

Something else on your mind? Email office@ieolca.org.