Petra Frey: Accompany the final journey with heart and humor

Petra Frey: Accompany the final journey with heart and humor

In today's world, when the topic of dying is often considered taboo, committed people like Petra Frey bring light into the darkness. The Munich author and actress has been working as a hospice assistant for over 15 years. Her heart beats for supporting seriously ill people as well as their families and friends. As operations manager at the Harlaching Clinic in Munich, she not only coordinates the deployment plans of the volunteers, but also organizes training courses to increase awareness of palliative care. Especially in her current reading tour program with the books “Diemund” and “License to Hold Hands” she tells touching stories and sheds light on the multifaceted reality of the end of life. South German newspaper reports on Frey's impressive work.

The art of end-of-life care lies primarily in recognizing small gestures and listening to the needs of those affected. This philosophy is also conveyed in the training of palliative care providers. These professionals are tasked with promoting a pain-free and peaceful end to life. They not only provide medical support, but also emotional support for patients and relatives. The goal of end-of-life care is to preserve the well-being and dignity of the person about to die, which in most cases includes togetherness and respect for the values ​​and wishes of the dying person. Forum for seniors sums it up well.

Diverse training opportunities

Retraining to become a palliative care provider can be the ideal introduction to this valuable field of work. Socially committed career changers are particularly welcome here. The training is comprehensive and includes at least 160 hours of teaching as well as practical elements. The participants are not only prepared for working with dying people, but are also trained to recognize the different phases of dying, as described in Elisabeth Kübler-Ross' theory, and to act accordingly. Guide to retraining explains the different training paths and the need to have empathetic skills and social skills.

The role of palliative care providers is essential, especially considering that many relatives often find themselves in this difficult situation unprepared. In many cases, they take on the task of social and therapeutic companion and often need support to cope with this well. Last aid courses that offer practical instructions for supporting the dying are a useful addition here. Forum for seniors highlights the importance of these trainings.

In summary, it can be said that the work of palliative care providers is invaluable. They contribute not only to hospice services, but also to outpatient care, often without appropriate remuneration. However, the desire to support others in their final hours of life remains the driving factor for many in this field. The demand for well-trained, empathetic employees will continue to be high in the future, and there are many opportunities for professional reorientation for everyone who has the good talent for this demanding but fulfilling task.