How AGAPLESION ELISABETHENSTIFT supports people in all phases of life
AGAPLESION ELISABETHENSTIFT is one of the leading healthcare institutions in Darmstadt. With its broad range of medical services, specialized centers, and social facilities such as the Elisabethen Hospice, the hospital supports people in very different phases of life – from acute medical care to end-of-life care.
In the interview, Valerie Nungesser, speaker for donations and social engagement at the hospice, explains the role the ELISABETHENSTIFT plays for Darmstadt and the region, how the requirements in the healthcare system are changing and why hospice work goes far beyond mere care.
AGAPLESION ELISABETHENSTIFT Darmstadt is a central healthcare facility in Darmstadt. What role does your institution play today for the people of the city and the region?
AGAPLESION ELISABETHENSTIFT is a cornerstone of patient care in Darmstadt and the surrounding area. The hospital is currently merging with the Darmstadt Clinic. Once the merger is complete – and both hospitals have been assigned a single institutional identification number – they will operate under the name Südhessen Kliniken (South Hesse Clinics) and serve as a maximum care provider for the health of the people of southern Hesse.
Even today, we are one of the largest hospitals in the city with over 400 beds and the second largest hospital in Darmstadt. We are a standard care hospital with a broad range of services, including geriatrics, psychiatry, internal medicine and orthopedics, as well as several certified centers, such as the Hernia Center, Bowel Center and Geriatric Trauma Center.
The ELISABETHENSTIFT also includes, among other things, the Medical Care Center, the Outpatient Therapy Center and the AGAPLESION ELISABETHENSTIFT Elisabethen-Hospiz.
How has the work at Elisabethenstift changed in recent years – especially with regard to increasing demands in the healthcare sector? What challenges are you currently experiencing in the area of nursing and medical care?
The ELISABETHENSTIFT is responding to societal and demographic changes. There is an increasing number of elderly people who suffer from multiple illnesses or require more complex medical care. This is where our range of services, including geriatrics and geriatric traumatology, comes into play.
The number of patients in the psychiatric field is also increasing. Therefore, our outreach team, which operates under the name APA (Outreach Acute Psychiatric Treatment), provides care to patients in their homes. This approach takes into account both their individual circumstances and the increased patient volume. In addition, the number of patients requiring treatment through our central emergency department is rising.
In our teams, employees work together in an interdisciplinary manner. This is evident, for example, in our so-called Fast-Track programs in orthopedics and surgery: Patients are trained in advance of an operation and prepare themselves specifically through physiotherapy exercises, among other things, to be stronger for the procedure.
On the day of surgery, or as soon as possible afterward, patients are mobilized by physiotherapists, cared for by a fast-track nurse, advised by social services, and referred to rehabilitation facilities. Physicians, nurses, psychotherapists, and other specialists work closely together throughout the entire treatment process to ensure a smooth workflow from preparation and treatment to postoperative recovery.
As an academic teaching hospital and major employer, the institution is also of great importance for the training of skilled professionals. At the same time, it actively engages with the local community through informational events.
Today, AGAPLESION ELISABETHENSTIFT is not just a hospital, but a central health hub for the region, combining care, nursing and human support, while also actively participating in the further development of the regional hospital landscape.
The Elisabethen Hospice in Darmstadt accompanies people in the final stage of their lives. What significance does this work have for those affected and their relatives – and what makes hospice work so special?
This September, the Elisabethen Hospice will celebrate its 15th anniversary. Since its opening, the inpatient hospice, with its twelve rooms, has cared for more than 1,600 people. The aim of our work is to provide loving care for guests and their families in a family-like atmosphere and to advocate for a humane approach to dying.
We accompany people through their most difficult hours until the end of their lives. Their grief, pain, and fear, but also their joy in life, are given space in our facility. Care encompasses not only physical nursing, but also psychological, social, and spiritual support. Conversations, listening, and responding to individual wishes play a central role in daily life. Nurses, doctors, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers work closely together. This interdisciplinary collaboration is an essential component of hospice care.
The Elisabethen Hospice is supported by Merck. What specific significance does this commitment have for your work and your services?
Due to its unique funding model, the Elisabethen Hospice requires €150,000 in donations annually. Health insurance companies only cover 95% of the daily rate of €525. Additional projects, equipment purchases, and supplementary therapies are financed entirely through donations.
We are very pleased that the Elisabethen Hospice has been able to develop further in recent years thanks to the support of Merck, and that with this financial assistance we have been able to make important purchases for our guests.
Does Merck's support extend beyond financial assistance – perhaps in the form of a long-term partnership or a joint social commitment to Darmstadt?
The continuous and reliable support is invaluable to our work. We are delighted to have Merck as a partner of the AGAPLESION ELISABETHENSTIFT Elisabethen-Hospiz and to jointly contribute to social engagement in the region.”
(By Alexander Götz)
Liveable Darmstadt
powered by MerckMerck is actively committed to a vibrant and livable region. Together with its partners, the company creates an environment where education, sports, art, and health can flourish.
But this requires funding. Membership fees aren't always enough. In this series, we present selected Darmstadt clubs and associations that are supported by Merck – whether in sports, culture, community service, or science education.
Each of these clubs has a unique story and contributes to strengthening the community in its own way. We asked the organizers what makes their clubs special and how the partnership with Merck not only provides financial support but also fosters growth and development.
Learn more about the diverse range of clubs and associations in Darmstadt and how Merck and its partners achieve more together – for a more vibrant and livable region.
