Hospice week in Prenzlau: A place of dignity is created for the dying!

Hospice week in Prenzlau: A place of dignity is created for the dying!

From June 21st to 28th, 2025, the Uckermark Hospice Association made an important contribution to raising awareness of topics related to dying. Numerous events took place during hospice week that highlighted the aspects of care, closeness and dignity. In Prenzlau, a new hospice is also being built on Karl-Marx-Strasse, which will be available to support people on their final journey from next year. Markus Kolbe, a speaker for hospice and palliative work, emphasized in his remarks that a hospice is not a place for giving up, but for accepting. He made it clear: “Hospices are places where it’s no longer about ‘How much longer will it last?’ – but rather about ‘How well will things still go?’” as on nnn.de can be read.

The construction work on the new hospice is progressing according to plan and many contracts are being awarded to regional companies, which will benefit the local economy. Annika Hartwich, a native of Prenzlau and head of a nursing facility in Berlin, will take over the management of the new house. Hartwich has the clear goal of creating a place where people can go in dignity and peace.

Looking for employees and support

The new hospice urgently needs support. We are looking for nurses, housekeeping staff, caretakers and volunteers who are willing to work in this sensitive area. In addition, a nursing service management and a social service are necessary to create a living house in which people support and empathize. “After the hospice week, many new thoughts remain and the impression that an important project is being created in Prenzlau,” is the sentiment shared by the organizers.

In order to further advance hospice work, the German Hospice and Palliative Association (DHPV) offers a variety of free brochures and handouts that deal with various aspects of palliative care. Some of these documents are available for a nominal fee, as shown on dhpv.de is to be experienced. These help both relatives and professionals to better cope with the challenges of hospice care and offer valuable support with grief counseling or with special topics such as health planning in the last phase of life.

Self-determination in palliative care

The AWO attaches particular importance to self-determination in its offerings for medical and nursing care, dying and farewell rituals awo.org is presented. People should have the opportunity to fully enjoy their personal freedoms. Determining your own wishes in a timely manner through pension documents plays a central role. The AWO District Association Niederrhein e.V. offers support with its precautionary folder “What is really important”, which offers people in inpatient facilities practical help with health care planning.

Whether care, voluntary work or the necessary legal protection - it is clear that a lot is being done in the Uckermark, both at the regional and national level, to improve palliative care and not to leave those affected alone in these difficult times. Providing healthy and appropriate support is not only a challenge, but also a matter of the heart for many committed people.