A look into the Bad Dürkheim hospice: life and laughter until the end

A look into the Bad Dürkheim hospice: life and laughter until the end

At the Bad Dürkheim hospice, everything revolves around the topic of how people can lead a dignified life in their final months of life. Today, October 11, 2025, a meeting took place in the hospice in which nurse Melissa Bloeß discussed the needs of the nine residents with her colleagues at 7:30 a.m. The focus was on essential topics such as medication, electric wheelchairs and the special wishes of the residents, such as the desire for ice cream or a bathtub. This shows how important it is to take guests' individual needs seriously and ensure they have a pleasant time.

A very special guest is Birgit Bohrmann, 66 years old, who lives in the hospice with a diagnosis of advanced ALS. She sits in a wheelchair and can only move her head and arms. Her reaction to the diagnosis was initially depressed; Nevertheless, Bohrmann has decided to make her life worth living. Since arriving at the hospice almost a year ago, she has reported improvement in her condition. Behind the doors of the hospice there is an atmosphere in which there is a lot of laughter. The nursing staff does their best to be there for the residents, even if not all of them can accept the impending death, especially younger people or those with children.

A place of peace and acceptance

The Hospice Bad Dürkheim opens its doors to seriously ill people and offers space to be accompanied by friends and family in the last phase of life. The focus is on caring for guests on all levels – physically, socially, mentally and spiritually. A network of specialized doctors, nurses, therapists and pastors ensures that the focus of hospice work is on pain relief, reducing fears and fulfilling wishes. The close cooperation with the palliative care ward of the Evangelical Hospital Bad Dürkheim ensures comprehensive care for the guests.

The special thing about it: The hospice is open to everyone, regardless of origin, language or financial situation. The stay in the hospice is free of charge for guests, as 95 percent of the costs are covered by health and nursing care insurance companies. The remaining five percent rely on donations, which highlights how important community support is to continue this valuable work.

Sensitive accompaniment for the last journey

Hospice care is not just limited to medical measures, but aims to minimize the suffering of the dying and their relatives. Hospice programs often eschew invasive procedures and aggressive treatments in favor of focusing on symptom relief and emotional support. At this facility, staff are specially trained to provide both medical care and pastoral support. The nursing staff is there for guests around the clock and regularly discusses their care plans.

An example of the deep connection between life and death is the approach of Nurse Bloeß. When a resident dies, she often opens the patio doors to allow the deceased guests to “exit.” She says that she sometimes has the feeling that the deceased are still present. This experience provides comfort to both residents and families who often find it difficult to cope with the loss.

Birgit Bohrmann planned everything for her family and talked to them about important topics. Her view of death is special: she believes that it is not the end and talks about the experiences of those who have died in her own family. It shows how much hope and courage to live can sprout even in a person's last days.

The Hospice Bad Dürkheim not only indicates farewell, but also celebrates life in all its facets. In the midst of pain and sadness, positive moments blossom, and the support of the team helps to make the difficult times a little more bearable.