For several years, a group of professionals has been running a social, home rural hospice in Podlasie. They reach places that hardly anyone can reach. Thanks to the donors, they are also building a stationary hospice unique in the country in the village of Makówka (Narew commune).
The first stationary rural hospice in Poland
Published May 5, 2022 12:02
The home hospice run by the Prorok Eliasz Foundation operating in several rural communes of Podlaskie Voivodeship currently provides palliative care to almost 60 patients. Since 2011, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologist, carers and a nutritionist from the foundation have helped over 600 people and their families. They reach their charges who often live in places far away from medical facilities.
- We try not only to fight pain or breathlessness, but also to take care of the mental well-being of the dying person. So that he would not feel humiliated by his helplessness and trust to the care of others - explains Dr. Grabowski, president of the foundation.
In Makowce near Narew, in the stationary facility built since 2019, 36 beds for the most seriously ill people who are no longer able to help. On the first floor of the building there will be an administrative part, and on the ground floor, with access to the garden, there will be rooms for the sick, rooms for having dinner with family or friends, and a room for preparing these shared meals. The project also includes a room with equipment for rehabilitation, therapeutic rooms for joint meetings and an ecumenical chapel. There will also be a rental of equipment such as specialist beds, devices aiding in movement or rehabilitation, oxygen concentrators, anti-bedsore mattresses. There will also be workshops and trainings teaching adults, children and adolescents, as well as professionals about palliative care.
The construction is based on the generosity of the donors from the very beginning. They are both private individuals, local companies and other foundations specializing in activities. In 2020, the Biedronki Foundation supported the construction of a rural hospice with PLN 7.6 million. Although the cost of the project is considerable (the calculation assumed PLN 17 million, and inflation results in a galloping increase in the prices of each construction element), thanks to wonderful human gestures, there is a chance to admit patients to the first wing in July 2022.
- We still need PLN 1.5 million to fully complete the construction of a stationary facility. We also need to raise money for the first months of the hospice's operation, before we receive funding from the National Health Fund. - says the president of the foundation.
As every year, the Prophet Elijah Hospice Foundation asks people of good heart to donate 1% of tax, which will help provide care for the most needy rural residents at the last stage of their lives.
For more information on Prophet Elijah's Hospice and how to support its construction visit HERE
Source: Press release
