Voluntary hospice companion: thanks for a decade full of compassion!

Voluntary hospice companion: thanks for a decade full of compassion!

Landsberg am Lech, Deutschland - On June 23, 2025, the general meeting of the Hospiz and Palliative Association Landsberg am Lech e.V. took place, where eight committed volunteers were honored for their ten-year support. Chairman Emanuel Zehetbauer presented the honors and honored the important contribution of these people, who tirelessly campaign for serious ill and dying persons as well as their relatives.

The use of the volunteers is characterized by empathy, patience and a remarkable adaptability. They accompany those affected in their hardest times, listen and donate comfort. Such gestures are priceless and make a significant impact on improving the quality of life in the past few days and hours.

valuable accompaniment in the last phase of life

Hospice work originated in the 1960s and found its place in Germany in the 1980s. The aim of this movement is to support seriously ill people and their relatives in an atmosphere that enables dying dignity. Because it is not just about alleviating physical pain, but also offering emotional and spiritual accompaniment, which creates valuable support in everyday life and organizational questions. Health insurance companies in Germany are currently promoting around 1,000 outpatient hospice services that take care of children, adolescents and adults. 95 % of the financing of inpatient hospices are secured by health insurance benefits, while the rest comes from donations. Diakonie emphasizes how important this work is for the quality of life.

The concept of palliative care does not focus on the striving for healing, but focuses on the well -being of the patient. Here, physical suffering such as pain or fear is treated and the individual quality of life improved. Such a sensitive accompaniment is particularly essential in the last phase of life.

self -determination as a leitmotif

Another central aspect in hospice work is self -determination. The awo attaches great importance to the free decisions of people in their medical and nursing care-be it during life or in farewell rituals. The organization supports those affected to perceive personal freedom rights and to record their own wishes in documents such as a living will.

It is characteristic of how the volunteers and the numerous organizations in Germany shaped the hospice movement and how much the commitment of the citizens has changed the face of this important work. Exactly such promotions and the tireless commitment such as that of the Landsberg association stand for a culture that enables dying dignity and lets life shine in a light that nobody has to be alone on his way. This loving care is essential and shows that in our lives the farewell can also be a worthy part.