This hospital adapted its structure, so at least one family member could be with loved ones before they died of the coronavirus. The same was done with elderly residents, unaffected by COVID-19, but who were in a delicate situation. That was the case with this family.
“Apart from the pain and sadness, the experience has been very positive. My father entered on Tuesday, April 28 and died the following day. So we are happy we were able to be with him. Above all, my mother was feeding him, caring for him and saying goodbye.”
This is the La Laguna center in Madrid, Spain, where they also dedicated an entire floor of the hospital to COVID-19 patients. Those affected could connect daily with their relatives through videocalls.
It is a pioneering center in the provision of palliative care. That is why doctors and nurses are used to accompanying people with slim chances of survival. However, they confess the coronavirus has been a more difficult challenge when trying to relieve suffering.
ALONSO G. PUENTE
Psychologist
“Palliative professionals are already used to living with suffering, and working with death, anguish, frustration. However, we had to adapt, because we lacked physical contact, we lacked the look, caresses and time.”
YOLANDA ZURIARRAÍN
Palliative Care Physician
'With these emotional symptoms, instead of physical ones, it's more difficult to know the person and take on the suffering together.'
In the hospital, the presence of volunteers is very helpful because they contribute to a more familiar atmosphere. One example is through initiatives like a youth association. Young people gave a book with a personalized letter to hospital residents who, although not COVID-19 positive, received fewer visits than usual.
However, hospital staff have not emerged unscathed. The coronavirus took the life of their chaplain Fr. José.
ANA M. PÉREZ
Communication Office 'La Laguna'
'He was accompanying one of our volunteers, whose wife had died, in order to make that situation more bearable and that's how he became ill with coronavirus and finally died.'
His loss was a severe blow to the hospital, where workers have a great memory of him.
He stayed near those who were waiting death and followed them closely. However, he not only presided over funerals, but did baptisms and weddings at the hospital. It was a sign of hope that even a hospital can provide an opportunity for love, no matter how many years are left in a person's life.
Javier Romero
Translation: Melissa Butz
