Hospice service Schwäbisch Gmünd: too late? That has to change!

Hospice service Schwäbisch Gmünd: too late? That has to change!

Schwäbisch Gmünd, Deutschland - "You come from the hospice? You're too early." The employees of the outpatient hospice service in Schwäbisch Gmünd often hear these words when they are asked for help by seriously ill people and their relatives. Renate Schweizer, who is responsible for the training and further education of the volunteers, knows that an active death care is often asked too late, which significantly limits the valuable time for sensitive accompaniment. Dr. Friedrich Wallbrecht, chairman of the working group, emphasizes that there is no "too early" and that long -term support is of central importance. Because people at the end of life often have the need to sort their memories and to seek reconciliation with relatives.

Carola Rauch, the coordinator of the hospice service, describes that many dying people are waiting for relatives and therefore often missed important moments. "The accompaniment is independent of denomination and religion; we do not missionary," explains Schweizer. The approximately 30 activists of the outpatient hospice service provide important emotional support, but no nursing or domestic tasks. Anonymous companions are subject to a strict confidentiality that strengthens the trust between them and the dying.

volunteers: an important foundation

volunteers are the backbone of the hospice work and accompany dying persons not only in the hospice, but also at home and in nursing homes. A new qualification course for volunteers starts in March 2025. Within four weekends, the participants learn everything important about the development and history of hospice work, outpatient structures and their ways of working. Dealing with one's own limits and communication in the end of death are also on the curriculum.

• Content of the course plan:
• Development and history of hospice work
• outpatient structures and working methods
• Own concern and dealing with limits
• Basic knowledge of dying and death
• Communication in the dying gain
• dealing with farewell and mourning

Six evening appointments on practical topics and internships to get to know the spectrum of voluntary death care is also part of the program. "The cost of the course amounts to € 150, which can be reimbursed after one year of active cooperation," says the Caritas Palliative Center St. Ferrutius. If you are interested, you can register individually and thus make a valuable contribution.

anniversary celebration and outlook

The working group "Outpatient Hospice Service" proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary on July 4 in Schwäbisch Gmünd. During a solemn anniversary event in the Catholic Administrative Center Franziskaner, guests can expect presentations of the volunteers and an ecumenical service. All of these efforts aim to offer dignified accompaniment for seriously ill people and dying people as well as their relatives, always with the focus on individual needs and the creation of a contemplative space.

Everyone who is willing to give time and to support others in difficult life situations is cordially invited to get involved. Further information and registration options can be found on the websites of the respective facilities: Rems Zeitung Palliative Center St. Ferrutius] (https://www.cap-wiesbaden.de/caritas-palliativzentrum-st.-ferrutius/ambulanter-hospizdien Berlin] (https://hospiz-fuer-berlin.de/ehrenamt).