Hospices in Rheinland-Pfalz: Support Structures for End-of-Life Care

In Rheinland-Pfalz, the hospice movement strives to enable the most humane dying possible by establishing suitable structures. The state currently operates 22 stationary hospices for adults, with an additional five facilities in planning or under construction, according to the Ministry of Health in Mainz. On average, adults stay in these hospices for 22 to 38 days, with stationary hospice care being considered for an estimated four to five percent of all deaths.

Beyond stationary care, 46 outpatient hospice services operate in Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland, providing close, trusting, and responsible support to over 5,300 patients in 2025, as reported by the AOK health insurance. The AOK continues its support in 2026 with over 3.3 million Euros allocated to outpatient end-of-life care in the region.

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Hospice work means standing by the side of severely ill and dying people at the end of their journey, in the last phase of life.

Health Minister Clemens Hoch (SPD) emphasized that hospice work involves standing by the side of severely ill and dying individuals during their final phase of life. He highlighted the crucial role of volunteers in this work, noting that the primary aim, following the wishes of most people, is to provide care within the home environment, especially for children and adolescents.

Rheinland-Pfalz is home to a single children's hospice in Mainz. Ministry spokespersons described children's hospices as sanctuaries for severely ill children and adolescents and their families, offering a temporary respite from the demands of home care. The construction of stationary hospices is largely funded by donations and non-public sources, though the state offers a 30,000 Euro subsidy in exceptional cases. While health insurers cover 95% of the ongoing costs for hospice stays, the remaining 5% is met through private funding.

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Hospices are places of retreat for severely ill children and adolescents and their families, where they can recover for a limited period from the strains of care that takes place at home.