The smile is lost behind the mask: Corona massively restricts the work of the Freising hospice group

No more touching, not even a smile: the pandemic is severely restricting the work of the Freising hospice group.

Alternative rituals are in demand.

Freising

- It is a great loss.

When the hospice and grief counselor Angela Ritthaler wanted to comfort a client in the past, she would stroke the person on the back or shake her hand.

"Simply to show the other person that you can see their feelings", says the volunteer of the Hospizgruppe Freising eV But in times of Corona any contact is taboo.

"Even an energizing smile is no longer possible behind the mask," emphasizes Ritthaler.

“How often do I hear these regretful words from clients: 'I can't see you.'

But I'm missing something too. "

Most senior citizens' homes are not allowed to visit hospice attendants

The pandemic has severely restricted the work of the hospice group.

Volunteers, for example, have not had access to the clinic's palliative ward since March.

Only one of ten full-time employees of the association is currently allowed to visit patients there, reports Christiane Zieschank.

"Even in most of the senior citizens' homes there is still a ban on visiting hospice attendants."

"Of course we have to observe all hygiene measures during such house calls - disinfection, distance, face mask," says Zieschank.

"Because after all, we meet weakened people."

Not every one of the 70 or so volunteer companions of the hospice group came to terms with this situation.

“There were colleagues who are now pausing because they were afraid of endangering a patient or of being infected themselves,” says Angela Ritthaler.

For them, however, such a step was not an option.

“Our patients need attention.

I just couldn't imagine leaving people alone. "

During the lockdown, care was only possible over the phone

For someone who suffers from a serious illness, there is nothing more important than participating in life, says Christiane Zieschank.

“With our visits we bring in a slightly different everyday life and offer a piece of pastime.

Most of them are not afraid that they might suffer and die from Corona, but that this piece of vitality will be denied them. "

That was the case for a while.

During the lockdown, support could only take place over the phone.

“But of course that doesn't replace the proximity of a personal visit,” says Christiane Zieschank.

Before the lockdown, she looked after two women in the retirement home.

One has since passed away.

Saying goodbye was no longer possible.

"That is painful."

Grief counseling was also abruptly interrupted by the pandemic in March.

Only when it was allowed to meet a contact person outdoors could work on walks be resumed.

Funeral seminars are very popular - alternative rituals

The funeral seminar that has been taking place every four weeks since September shows how many people were missing the support of the hospice association.

“The course was booked up pretty quickly,” reports Zieschank.

Of course, also because instead of the usual 20 participants, a maximum of ten people are allowed in order to be able to meet all corona requirements.

Establishing touches are still not possible.

“That's why we came up with rituals that touch the heart,” says Zieschank.

For example, the seminar participants brought a picture of their deceased to the meeting and placed it in the room.

The other course attendees laid flowers in front of the portraits while atmospheric music played.

"It was good for everyone to see that there are people who see their own grief and appreciate the loss of a loved one," says Ritthaler.

And so there is also some light between the long shadows that Corona casts.

"Ideas and rituals emerged that we will continue to maintain after Corona." Then when a smile can also be seen again.

The work of the BRK is also being very stressed by the pandemic: Unfortunately, not all members could withstand the pressure, reports the BRK boss.