An End of Life Doula can do everything EXCEPT give a medication and do any form of medical treatment or wound care. There is no limit of number of hours to sit bedside.
The hospice volunteer needs to follow Medicare regulations that prohibit any form of touching, moving, feeding, bathing, toileting etc. The hospice volunteer in most US states is limited to a maximum weekly bedside visit of 4 hours. The average volunteer visit is 1-2 hours a week. This does not provide the adjunct support that patients and families so desperately need at this stressful time.