Peaceful Passages™
Complementary Therapies in End-of-Life Care

Learn simple yet powerful natural techniques to offer comfort to your loved one who is sick or dying.

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We have choices in life and choices in death.
Every day we make decisions about our life. These decisions reflect our choices that are based on the best information that we have available to us. Most people find it very difficult, if not impossible, to make decisions about their death. Much of this is because of lack of information and unawareness that there are choices available.

This is not about euthanasia — this is about Comfort and Care and ‘Creating conditions to have a peaceful death’.

What are Complementary Therapies?
Complementary Therapies are natural, safe, and supportive methods that are often used to complement or add to regular mainstream medical treatments. They are easy to access, inexpensive, often self-administered. Many of these therapies are based on ancient healing techniques from a variety of cultures that live in harmony with nature.

Some examples of these therapies are massage, meditation, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and energy healing (Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch, Reiki).

How can Complementary Therapies be used in End-of-Life Care?
Many of these therapies can help manage pain — and are very effective when used in conjunction with pain medications. Massage and Healing Touch can relax the body — muscles, tissues, and joints. When the body is relaxed and pain free, then the mind and soul can relax as well. These therapies can also help alleviate many other symptoms that cause discomfort such as issues with breathing and stomach problems. For example, the essential oil of peppermint (provided it is a therapeutic grade oil, not perfume grade!) is known to be helpful for nausea. Peppermint tea is can also be effective. Other therapeutic grade essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and ravensara can help to open up breathing passageways.

Most Complementary Therapies help to reduce anxiety and stress. Often, with the use of these therapies, an environment is naturally created that offers stress reduction to the whole family system. One of the bonuses of incorporating these therapies into End-of-Life Care is that family members and caregivers can easily learn these therapies and offer them to the person who is dying, and, in return receive the benefits for themselves.

Complementary Therapies can be effective in End-of-Life Care because they work with nature and natural forces to create harmony and balance in one’s life and environment, no matter what the condition of health or stage of life. These practices lend themselves to healing in the Holistic Model of Health Care. This model of care includes all parts of the system being healed — for example — not only the person who is dying, but the healing of family and caregivers as well. Having a spiritual component, many Complementary Therapies benefit those who are facing End-of-Life issues by providing comfort, serenity, and a sense of peace.

How can I learn more?
Marilee Tolen, RN, the creator of Peaceful Passages, has started a scholarship fund in the name of her parents to help fund education and coursework in Complementary Therapies in End-of-Life Care.

Click here to LEARN THE STORY behind the fund.
M.J. Tolen Scholarship Fund

Click here to DONATE to the MJ Tolen scholarship fund.
Select MJ Tolen Scholarship Fund from the drop down selection for Program Designation.

Click here to APPLY for this fund
Scholarship Registration

Seeds From Peaceful Passages™
Peaceful Passages™ formed by Marilee Tolen RN, the daughter of Martin and Mary Tolen, began in 2002 as a Professional Health Care Symposium. Experts from all over the United States presented how Complementary Therapies can help in End-of-Life Care. Proceeds from this event, coupled with donations to honor Martin and Mary Tolen, have seeded this fund. Peaceful Passages™ offers continuing education in Complementary Therapies in End-of-Life Care.

Visit Marilee Tolen's other website to sign up for her free newsletter "Home Spa Lady's Tips of the Week" on ways to get and stay healthy naturally with at-home therapies. Go to: www.HomeSpaLady.com.