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Löwenherz Youth Hospice
On the grounds beside the children's hospice, a youth hospice is to be built. It will be open for adolescents and adults between the ages of 14 and 24 who suffer from incurable illnesses. Here, they will get the necessary, intensive care and attention relevant to their age. It is to have up to eight places for the sick young people as well as six extra rooms for their friends and families.
The youth hospice is an important and necessary expansion to the children's hospice because adolescents have different needs and interests than children. Young people need the opportunity to develop independently and to have their own personal space, even when they are seriously ill and struggling with life. They can have their friends or older siblings to stay as a guest for a week, also without parents. This is because it is important for many of them to escape the overprotection.
The guests can do trips with the assistants, sit together with family members and carers in the living room and chill to music, have a disco or relax in the pool. For the quiet moments, there is also space to say goodbye to friends or even to life itself. By the side of the adolescents, their families and friends, caring people are there to carefully accompany them. They make sure the young people receive good pain therapy and spiritual support.
Also in terms of the waiting list in the children's hospice, the expansion is urgently needed. This is because, every year, more families want to come to Löwenherz with their sick children. Many of them are already adolescents. Therefore, the eight spaces are filled up quickly. The new building will mean more space for children.
The building plans for the new building have been submitted. It will cost approx. €3.9 million and will be financed mostly by donations. The construction is due to start in early 2012. The opening is expected in autumn 2013.
