The Neulengbach Healthy Community Working Group team, led by Gerlinde Blemenschitz-Kramer, started the “Last Help Course” in Neulengbach. 13 interested ladies gathered at the community town hall to receive useful information and learn practical steps in a five-hour course. The two speakers Erika Gössnitzer and Roman Knapp work as qualified palliative care nurses at the inpatient hospice in Tulln and taught this “last aid” course on a voluntary basis.
Participants learned what they can do for family members and loved ones at the end of life. The course was dedicated to four main focuses: Dying is part of life, care and decisions, alleviating suffering and saying goodbye. Not only were basic knowledge about nutrition and care imparted, but simple steps were also shown and everyone present was encouraged to focus on people in the last stage of life. Course participants were trained by the two speakers on how they can do good for people who need care – whether at home, in a nursing home or hospice. Just stroking your hand lovingly can help.
“We want to transmit basic knowledge and encourage people to turn to the dying”, highlighted the two speakers. Knowledge of “last aid” should become common knowledge like “first aid” and should be something that strengthens cohesion. End-of-life care is not a science, but rather a compassionate practice that is also possible in the family and neighborhood. “Because care is what we all need most at the end of our lives”, say Erika Gössnitzer and Roman Knapp.
More information about Last Aid can be found here: https://www.chtehilfeoesterreich.at/