Christmas at Marienstift: There for each other on the most important day of the year

The employees celebrate Christmas with the residents of the Marienstift.

People with dementia also remember the great importance of this holiday.

Dorfen

– Hardly any festival is associated with as many childhood memories as Christmas.

That is why the holidays are so important for the residents of the Marienstift.

"I sometimes wonder.

We have residents who are so seriously ill with dementia that they hardly remember saying good morning - but they can sing all the verses of 'Silent Night, Holy Night' by heart," says Freyja Brönnle, head of the nursing service in the municipal nursing home in Dorfen.

According to Brönnle, Christmas Eve is celebrated at the Marienstift almost like it used to be “at home”.

There is a decorated tree in the lounge, there are cookies and mulled wine, and people sing together.

Also: "On the Christmas tree, the lights are on - blessed are you old people, we bring God's blessings today, the brown and the white hair."

Of course, the service on Boxing Day is also obligatory, when Father Stephan comes to the Marienstift to announce the good news: “The Christmas mass is simply part of it for our residents.”

Gifts are no longer an issue: "At the end of life you don't need much anymore," says Marion Prey, head of the Marienstift.

"The fact that the family comes, the grandchildren spend time together with the grandmother or grandfather, that is the greatest blessing for our residents." And if you don't have any relatives, the staff is there for you.

Home and nursing management do not have any problems with the duty roster on the holidays: "Anyone who has small children has Christmas off, so the employees then work at the turn of the year," says Brönnle.

For the carers, it goes without saying that they are also there between Christmas and New Year: "We spend so much time together, we all have a close relationship with our residents - we don't let them down on the most important days of the year for them .”

The Marienstift in Dorfen is happy every year when the local newspaper calls in Advent and asks: "What do you want for Christmas?"

"We are so grateful.

This allows us to give our residents something very special.” This year, Prey wants a tablet with a digital care program on behalf of the seniors.

Those in need of care and those suffering from dementia can play on it, the memory is activated: "Videos, pictures and puzzles are part of the program - the content is divided into individual and group offers and offers the right thing for every care situation."