In Kaunas, the building of the thermal power plant is turning into a much-needed aid center for the seriously ill

From the thermal power plant building to the aid center

The search for a suitable location, which lasted almost a year, finally bore fruit – the administrative building of the Kaunas Thermal Power Plant was found. Next to the two-story masonry and another space. As it turned out later, the hideout belonged to the owners. Above the hiding place is a beautiful meadow where a park will be located.

As Laimonas Šiaulys, the director of the R. Kaukėnas Foundation, said, they had to persuade the owners to sell the hideout together with the huge building. Although the war in Ukraine had not yet begun when the building was purchased, the hiding place next to the hospital became even more significant at this time. “The installation of the assistance center for the seriously ill is still in progress – a project is currently being prepared, according to which the construction will be carried out.

At the beginning, it was thought that there would be no need to change the building, it would be enough to renovate it, but in accordance with all the regulations applicable to such stationary buildings, the building will have to be upgraded. This process requires many design subtleties – it is necessary to take into account the patients of various conditions who will be assisted here, it is necessary to consider how such patients could be taken outside. The building also needs an elevator, a chapel will be placed, as well as a separate room for volunteers and a space where lectures can be held,” he taught.

Society’s attitude is changing

The need for such a hospital is associated with people’s changing attitude towards the existence of a seriously ill person and the possibility of leaving with dignity in the event of an extremely difficult health condition, when doctors can no longer help. The director of the fund says that in the past, people were skeptical about the aid centers for the seriously ill – the relatives were considered unloving and careless, who decided to get help from abroad, even though it becomes too difficult to provide for the sick person and provide the necessary care at home. “Sometimes it is no longer possible to ensure the conditions that are necessary for a person to be pain-free and as comfortable as possible at home.

And the help center can be the solution where both the patient and the family members who came to visit it would be cozy and comfortable to spend the moments they have left together,” he said.

Kristina Krasko, head of the public institution “Kaunos hospisos namai”, spoke about the need for such a center. According to the woman, such a center is very necessary – currently the hospice team and volunteers provide palliative care only at home, but knowing that a building will be built where it will be possible to comfortably care for seriously ill patients gives a lot of hope.

“We are a medical institution that provides free of charge palliative – medical, psychological, social and all other help to terminally ill people and their relatives in their own homes. We have been working for nine years, but until now we have not had a stationary. Recently, the situation has changed – we have hope. The building, which was bought by the R. Kaukėnas Foundation in 2022, is being gradually repaired,” said the head of the public institution.

The center is also needed for small patients

At the moment, the only Hospice in-patient facility providing palliative care for children is operating in Lithuania. It is permanently home to at least a few children who require constant supervision, care, nursing and provision of basic needs.

Most often, such children are accompanied by diagnoses of genetic diseases. They constantly need special food and various medical devices that ensure breathing and other functions. Parents caring for such difficult young patients at home simply lose any opportunity to socialize, work, care for other family members or offspring, not to mention the heavy emotional burden that never leaves their shoulders.

A children’s department will also be installed in the help center for the seriously ill, which will allow parents who are raising seriously ill children to take at least a little breather.