End-of-life care rethought: Michaela Bayer and Sara Loy in the Bürgersaal

End-of-life care rethought: Michaela Bayer and Sara Loy in the Bürgersaal

On November 2nd, 2025, a special book will be presented in the Bürgersaal in Hausham: “In the end, what counts is NOW” by Michaela Bayer and Sara Loy. These two palliative care nurses not only want to share their experiences with their work, but also want to change the way we deal with death in our society. Michaela Bayer, a native of Hausham, works in the palliative care ward at the Großhadern Clinic, while Sara Loy comes from Dresden. Both are active on Instagram and use this platform to provide insights into their touching work.

The work was created in response to demand and aims to portray death as less frightening and to enrich life. “It is important to us that children also learn to deal with the topic of death,” explains Bayer. An impressive anecdote is the story of a little girl coming to terms with the death of her grandmother. Such experiences are discussed in detail in the book, supporting the reader and making them think.

Hidden insights from palliative care

In “In the end, it’s NOW that counts” readers can expect not only exciting experience reports, but also practical instructions: Each chapter ends with an “At a glance” that summarizes the most important information. The authors emphasize that their book is not a guide, but rather an experience report on the end of life that covers topics such as dignity, support and pain relief. The importance of self-care and the balance between closeness and distance at work are also not neglected.

Bayer's rituals during her work are interesting, such as taking off the tunic, symbolizing the shedding of the patients' fates. These small, personal customs are part of a complex process that also includes supernatural events and rituals, such as opening the window after a patient's death - moments that are deeply moving.

The importance of open communication

But how do we create an open dialogue about death? A challenge that many people have to face. Palliative care offers often reach patients too late because doctors, patients and relatives do not speak openly about diagnoses. “That has to change,” Bayer is certain, “because there is often not enough time to plan your own farewell.”

The AOK describes that dying people can spend the last days of their lives in various facilities, such as hospices, nursing homes or even at home. To achieve this, open communication about the upcoming steps is essential. End-of-life care is not an easy task - it requires empathy and a respectful attitude towards the patient's wishes. Relatives are often not sufficiently involved, which can lead to misunderstandings about pain treatment and other aspects.

The aim of palliative medicine is to enable a dignified and painless death. Ethical principles and the cooperation of all those involved play an important role. “It is important to recognize the emotional stages of the dying process and to live a culture of reception,” according to experiences from palliative care. Pastoral care will be one of the cornerstones of giving dying people the dignity they deserve.

Overall, “In the End, What Counts is NOW” is a work that impresses with personal reports and profound insights and invites you to think intensively about your own life and the topic of dying. The book will address an important issue that deeply affects many people at the event on November 2nd in Hausham.

Further information about professional end-of-life care can be found at AOK and on the topic of end-of-life care PPM online.