Volunteers in the hospice: How Krüger organizes a dignified farewell

Volunteers in the hospice: How Krüger organizes a dignified farewell

In the heart of Uecker-Randow there are people who have been committed to the last phase of other people's lives for 25 years. H. Krüger, a dedicated end-of-life companion, impressively describes what it means to work in the hospice service. In a conversation, she explains that after her husband's death she was looking for a new meaning and accepted an invitation from an acquaintance to help set up the hospice service. Her experience as an occupational therapist has given her a valuable perspective on life and death, which is crucial for her work today. According to nordkurier.de her first step was an internship at the Pasewalk hospital, where she was initially rejected. But after a second approach, she was allowed to speak to a patient and discovered her passion for end-of-life care.

Hospice volunteers are often confronted with the question of why they offer their help free of charge. Krüger does not see her work as stressful, but as enriching. Self-care is also important to her so that she can be there for those who need help. One of the most moving experiences is an encounter with a blind, deaf and mute patient. “We try to create a dignified environment for the dying,” she says, “and take the time that every patient deserves.” She often stays with the patient until the end, even if that is not always possible.

Sensitive support and final wishes

A very special project is the “time travel mobile” with which patients’ last wishes can be fulfilled. Regardless of whether it was a visit to an important place or participation in an event, so far there have been no wishes that remained unfulfilled due to cost reasons. “These experiences are valuable and create memories that last beyond death,” says Krüger. Through her work she has developed a conscious view of the circle of life and wants to help others accept it.

The Uecker-Randow hospice service currently has 31 volunteer carers for the dying, but urgently needs more support. A new preparation course for volunteers will start in February, and those interested in dedicating themselves to this important task can contact us by phone or email. So there remains hope for an expanded community of people who care about the well-being of the dying.

A world full of data

metro.co.uk The largest unit of measurement, the "Quettabyte", was introduced, which is equal to 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. This is not just any invention, but the result of an official approval at the 27th General Conference on Weights and Measures in Versailles. This shows how quickly the data landscape is changing and how important it is to keep up with the latest developments. Richard Brown of the National Physical Laboratory explains that these new units of measurement help to clearly describe both large and small amounts of data.

In the increasing complexity of data production, we are discovering fascinating connections that shape the world around us in both personal and global contexts. While hospice work tells countless individual stories, the technical world is bringing new standards to our digital communication. While some accompany people in their final days, others initiate groundbreaking developments to shape our future.