Euthanasia and the Needs of the Terminally Ill Merits and Risks of Voluntary Workers in Hospices

The aim is to look into the issue of euthanasia and its perception. What benefits can volunteers offer to improve the time spent by the hospice patients. The issue of euthanasia is broad, gaining lots of both supporters and opponents. This paper describes the issue from the logotherapeutic perspective. The opinion of patients on what may ease the stay in hospice is also taken into account. The main method used is the method of cllinical cases, i.e. qualitative methodology, however, observations and conversations are effective methods as well. The method of conversation can only be utilized whit communicative patients. The issue of euthanasia is highly sensitive. Its supporters preceive it as a humane way to terminate human life. However, the clinical cases show that on condition the patients are provided good care, i.e. their biological, psychological, social as well as spiritual needs are saturated, the do not tend to think about euthanasia as an option. The patients appreciate the comfortable atmosphere of the hospice. On condition the communication is satisfactory, they do not tend to think abou euthanasia as an option. I tis essential to cover all kinds of needs of the terminally ill. The calm hospice atmosphere benefits the patients, and the appreciate it very much on condition the communication is easily accessible.