Jelgava hospital launches hospice volunteer support programme

Jelgava City Hospital has become the 10th hospital in Latvia to join the Hospiss LV association’s “Festive Table” project, LSM reported. Volunteers bring treats to patients who are seriously or incurably ill and spend time talking with them.

Hospice care is intended to ease pain and other symptoms for people with severe, incurable illnesses and help them maintain the best possible quality of life. Jelgava Hospital has observed that the number of such patients is increasing.

“Many people want to talk, perhaps because they do not receive enough attention at home. They want to talk to us, and we try to speak with everyone and joke with them so they are not so bored and do not feel as if they are in a hospital,” said Natalija Paškeviča, a nurse at Jelgava City Hospital.

The hospital began working with Hospiss LV to provide patients with additional emotional support. Hospital board chair Kintija Barloti said volunteers would complement the work of medical staff.

“Our staff may not have time every day to address all of this. Through cooperation with Hospiss LV, we come in and the patient receives additional care and may feel emotionally better,” she said.

Volunteers visit patients with specially equipped carts carrying small treats, but food is not the project’s main purpose. Hospiss LV board member Ilze Zosule said the treats are chosen to evoke memories, such as ice cream, rye bread or potato pancakes with salmon.

Volunteer coordinator Lienīte Ansone has been involved in the project for six years. She recalled a 92 year old patient who wanted to meet his daughter again after many years apart. Volunteers found the daughter through social media and reunited them at the hospital.

Hospice care remains unavailable to everyone who needs it in Latvia.