Anniversary in Nassau: 30 years of outpatient hospice services – a reason to celebrate!

Anniversary in Nassau: 30 years of outpatient hospice services – a reason to celebrate!

There's a celebration in Nassau today! On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Rhein-Lahn outpatient hospice services, around 200 guests gathered at the picturesque Nassau Castle to celebrate the first Hubertus Mass in the open air. The event was not only a festive occasion, but also offered space for reflection and gratitude. In his speech, city mayor Manuel Liguori emphasized the fundamental role of the volunteers, who form the heart of the association, and praised their tireless efforts.

The hospice movement, started in England in the 1960s by Cicely Saunders, has since touched many lives. The first modern hospice, St. Christopher's Hospice in London, was founded in 1967. The focus of hospice services is on improving the quality of life, providing care and relieving pain and symptoms for seriously ill and dying people. These efforts make the work of outpatient hospice services so important and valuable.

A look back with promises for the future

The history of the Rhein-Lahn outpatient hospice services goes back to 1995. Since then, they have been accompanying people in retirement homes, hospitals and at home. Last year, an inpatient hospice was opened in Nassau, which is supported by the Leifheit Foundation. Coordinator Anna Schön explains that the association's main tasks are to accompany seriously ill people and to support their relatives.

The program of the outpatient hospice services is diverse: These include, among other things, the mourning café, mourning walks and the “Hospice makes school” project. In this way, children's understanding of the topics of death and grief is promoted. Hans Lammert, Vice President of the Rhineland-Palatinate State Parliament, emphasized how crucial support is in the last weeks of life - a message that district councilor Gisela Bertram also underlined. She spoke about the loneliness of many dying people and the role that hospice services play in counteracting this loneliness.

Volunteering – an enriching experience

Anyone interested in volunteering in the hospice sector can take advantage of an extensive range of training options. A preparation course not only imparts knowledge and attitude, but also offers a space for exchange. The tasks of the hospice companions are diverse and range from listening and enduring silence to walks and conversations. Presence and participation in this special phase of life are of central importance, as Diakonie reports: No care tasks are required, but rather interpersonal care and closeness.

The training for volunteers lasts between 80 and 100 hours and is supervised by experienced coordinators. Completion of the course is often ceremonial with a commission or certificate, which gives the volunteers additional motivation. Offers such as the “Celler Model” ensure that volunteers are best prepared for their tasks and can make their valuable contribution to end-of-life care.

The celebrations at Nassau Castle are not only a look back at the past 30 years, but also a strong promise for the future. The Rhein-Lahn outpatient hospice services stand for dignified living right up to the end and invite everyone to join in to make a difference in the lives of people in difficult times.

For more information click here: Ben Courier, Diaconia, Yahoo.