Following the successful expansion of hospices in the Netherlands, La Maison de Tara could become a reproducible model in other Swiss cities.  This would permit a substantial number of people live their final days and weeks within a ’family’ atmosphere.

Comments recorded during a team visit to a Dutch hospice 

Patient: ”I have been here for four weeks; four really happy weeks of my life.  Ten children couldn’t bring me what the hospice offers.  I am treated like a queen.  I ring the bell and seconds later the door opens and one of the volunteers is there.” 

The patient’s son-in-law:  “The fact that Grandma is in the hospice has reassured us and has also reassured her.   In fact she is so comfortable here that I think that she won’t die (laughs)!  We are able to come and see her at any time, which it is wonderful.”

The patient’s sister-in-law: “As for the room, we see it as ‘her room’ and we feel just as if we are really with her at home in her room.”
A volunteer: “Hospice always goes with the flow, like at home, so the patients feel at home”