Retired Nurse Finds Purpose in End-of-Life Companionship for Families
Margit Wassermann spends her retirement supporting people in their final stages of life. As a volunteer with Fonds Soziales Wien (FSW), she offers companionship and comfort to those receiving palliative and hospice care. Her work is part of a small team that also runs a bereavement café for grieving families.
Wassermann first joined the FSW’s mobile palliative care team in 2021, shortly after leaving her nursing career. She had spent 40 years working at Vienna’s General Hospital and later trained as a life and social counsellor. Initially, she shadowed a certified palliative nurse on home visits before taking on two clients of her own.
Her approach is simple: she listens and adapts to each person’s needs. Some prefer quiet chats, while others want weekly visits. Over time, she has accompanied eight people, staying with them until their final moments if the bond feels right. Death, she says, does not unsettle her.
The volunteer group now includes ten members. Beyond one-on-one care, they organise a bereavement café where families can share their grief. Wassermann stresses that her goal is not personal recognition but to highlight the importance of such initiatives.
Wassermann’s background in nursing and counselling shapes her calm, attentive presence. She continues to offer support where it is most needed, ensuring no one faces their final days alone. The team’s efforts also extend to families, providing a space for them to process loss together.
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