Palliative care day in Mirow: Experts advocate for better care

Palliative care day in Mirow: Experts advocate for better care

On June 22, 2025, the third palliative care day in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania took place in the enchanting lower castle in Mirow. This day attracted numerous experts and interested parties from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the neighboring federal states of Brandenburg and Schleswig-Holstein. Such events are crucial to raise awareness of the needs of seriously ill people and to further develop hospice and palliative care. NDR reports that palliative care can still be expanded in many regions.

In Mirow there is a remarkable outpatient children's hospice that not only looks after children from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, but also from neighboring federal states. The valuable work of this hospice does not remain without support, as donations have been collected repeatedly through initiatives such as that of the Biker Friends MV association. This ensures that families receive the support and guidance they need during this difficult time.

The challenges of palliative care

The topics of dying and death are often taboo in our society, which means that many people are uncertain about their rights and the services available. As the State government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania emphasizes, it is a task for society as a whole to enable seriously ill people to live a dignified and pain-free life until the end. Many people are not aware of the palliative care options available to them.

In order to eliminate these uncertainties, the Mike Möwenherz initiative offers extensive information and support in palliative care. This includes topics such as health care power of attorney, living wills and care directives, which are particularly essential in the last phases of life. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania there are 112 general practitioners and 14 specialized palliative care teams, which offers a good approach to improving the situation.

Diverse offers for those affected

The country has eleven hospices, in cities such as Neustrelitz, Waren, Schwerin, Rostock, Bergen, Eggesin and Greifswald. These facilities are a central part of palliative care. According to information from the Diaconia They play an important role in supporting seriously ill people and their relatives. Hospice care is not only intended to relieve physical suffering, but also provides emotional and spiritual support.

There are currently 282 inpatient hospices in Germany that cater to the needs of both adults and children. What is particularly noteworthy is that 95% of the funding for these facilities comes from health insurance benefits and 5% from donations. In this way, the services will be maintained and further developed in the future to enable people to live a dignified life until the end.

In summary, it can be said that developments in palliative care in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are on the right track. But there is still a lot to be done to meet the needs of those affected. Events like the Palliative Care Day in Mirow are of great importance because they promote exchange and bring experts and interested parties together to work together on solutions.