International version N°8

NOVEMBER 2010

Dear Reader, In this new edition of the International Newsletter you will learn about the Luxembourg Red Cross activities with focus on the Aid and Care Service. Thank you for your continuous support, International Section

The Red Cross Christmas Tree Let ´s unite against dependency and isolation Ladies and Gentlemen, For the coming Christmas season the Luxembourg Red Cross would like to act through its annual "The Red Cross Christmas Tree" campaign and draw attention to the problem of dependency and isolation of many people in the Grand Duchy. Growing numbers of people, most of them elderly, live alone without any social contact and often without any connection to the outside world. Contrary to popular belief, the dependency and isolation may also be a consequence of an accident, illness or disability. The Luxembourg Red Cross is helping these people through its services and initiatives supported by the valuable assistance of volunteers. Recently the Social Solidarity Fund has been established by the Aid and Care Service of the Red Cross. Its aim, among many others, is to mobilize financial resources for various aid and care services that are not reimbursed by social insurance. The Luxembourg Red Cross would not be able to carry out its actions for the most vulnerable people without public donations. In view of the coming holidays, we appeal to you to support us either by making a donation in favour of our projects or by participating in the Red Cross Bazaar, held on November 14. Thank you in advance for your valuable help and selfless gesture! Michel Simonis Director of Aid and Care Service To support people living in isolation you can transfer funds directly to the account CCPL LU52 1111 0000 1111 0000 or make a donation by using a credit card at www.croix-rouge.lu (in the section “Appel du dons”). Donations to the Red Cross from 120 € per year and up to 20% of net income are tax deductible.

Contact Details for the International Section and further information : T: 45 02 02 42 - section.internationale@croix-rouge.lu

International version N°8

NOVEMBER 2010

The Aid and Care Service against dependency and isolation For many dependent and isolated people the nurses are often the first human contact upon waking up in the morning and the last one in the evening; sometimes even the only contact during the whole day. The Aid and Care Service of Luxembourg Red Cross, a member of the HELP network, daily takes care not only of sick, disabled or dependent but also isolated, people. For most elderly people, isolation is often a consequence of the spouse’s death, absence of children or their living abroad, or lack of social contact in general.

To brighten up their lives the Aid and Care Service provides human and material help that is often not supported by public bodies; such as presence during times of loneliness and intense depression.

The story of Mrs. W. It is still early in the morning and the Kirchberg Plateau is covered with a light mist when the nurse team arrives at Mrs. W.’s home. She lives alone in an apartment of the Housing Fund. Her husband died and her son is disabled. For many years Mrs. W. had been supporting her son with her modest pension. As his health condition became worse, she was forced to place him in an institution. Since then, the 83-year old lady has lived alone and is no longer able to organize her daily life. The HELP network monitors her day-to-day activities (visits to doctor, shopping, cleaning, etc.), including administrative tasks. Furthermore, the nurses are present in difficult situations since Mrs. W. suffers from feelings of extreme loneliness and feels guilty for having left her son. The Aid and Care Service provides tremendous support to this lady who has become dependent on their daily presence. It helps her to ensure a decent life and to keep her in the best possible conditions. The time spent in listening to the person is however not financially subsidized by social insurance. The Aid and Care Service of the Red Cross in number s (member of the HELP network): Staff: 849 Number of clients: 5,000 Hours of home care in 2009: 569,000 Number of care acts: 507,000 Partners of the HELP network: Luxembourg Red Gross (department Aid and Care, Doheem versuergt asbl), Luxembourg Syrdall Heem, Oberanven Muselheem, Wasserbillig Hospital Center Emile Mayrisch, Esch/Alzette Intercommunal Hospital, Steinfort, Steinfort Uelzechtdall, Lorentzweiler Objectif Plein Emploi, Schifflange

International version N°8

NOVEMBER 2010

”Eng Hand fir déi Krank”

Prick up an ear to those who are alone Being attuned to those who suffer from loneliness in the everyday life – the volunteer project "Eng Hand fir déi Krank” (A helping hand for the sick)

"I am glad you are here. We can play and laugh together. And it makes me feel good." Since October 2009, Mrs. L. receives the visits of Valerie, one of thirty volunteers of the "Eng Hand fir déi Krank” of the Red Cross, launched in 2005. Designed to ameliorate the solitude of the lonely, elderly or dependent ones, it offers the volunteer service of regular visits to those who lack social interaction. Although not a substitute for the family, these volunteers are trained to listen, and spend an average of one hour, the time for a coffee, a walk, shopping, or just chatting. "I am pleased to

have this presence in my life. Our exchange is so spontaneous, I do not need to demonstrate anything, I feel accepted as I am," says M.R. visited by Paula, with whom he shares some common origins. "She’s holding my hand. She is smiling when I'm there, she is asking me what is happening outside because it has been a long time since she had been out,“ says Valerie about Ms. L. For volunteers, it is enrichment. "I feel more opened, less selfish," says Valerie, who is also aware of the chance to get in contact with others willing to share.

Social Solidarity Fund Interview with Catherine Gapenne, Director of the C are Service What is the usefulness of the social fund, recently established by the Assistance and Care service of the Red Cross? The primary goal of the social fund, which is fed by donations to the service, is to help the people who are in poverty and benefit from our care. The funds will be used for needs which are not covered by social insurance and which are nonetheless essential to maintaining a decent quality of life. How can this assistance reach affected people? A formal request to the service should be directed through our personnel , which will determine if additional assistance is necessary and possible in relation to the issues raised. The helping services are exclusively considered on the customer's expenses, such as medication, social support, hospitality day centre, material aid, etc. Any request and consideration will be documented and transparent. Aren’t we approaching the danger of some losses in a state which faces some problems in covering the medical costs? On the contrary, I’d rather say it’s the opposite. Thanks to our documentation on the social fund aids, the state will have a clearer overview on the needs that exist within the society and may, where appropriate, adapt and reorient its health policy.

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NOVEMBER 2010

What are the limits of the social fund? The generosity of our donors! In fact, we try to make sure that the funds paid to third parties are only for the actual needs and essential to maintaining their quality of life. Documentation of payments will demonstrate the use of money and will allow our donors to be assured on the proper use of the funds.

Events Sunday, November 14 - the Red-Cross five-and-dime s hop (Red Cross Bazaar) Under the High Patronage of the Grand Duchess, President of the Luxembourg Red Cross, the traditional bazaar will take place at the Victor Hugo hall in Limpertsberg from 10th to 18th November. Come and discover the various stalls that offer: national and international restaurants, flea markets, second hand products, luxury and homemade goods, stalls for children and gift ideas in all price categories. As for entertainment, the Li Marteling school dance offers its Christmas Parade show, and Pascal Clement the magician will enchant children and adults with his magic tricks. Children will enjoy the excitement of the Red Cross Youth activities and the long-awaited visit of Saint-Nicolas. All profits will support the year-end campaign and will support the projects for those struggling against addiction and isolation in Luxembourg Saturday, December 4 – The Red Cross Tree The Red Cross Youth organizes "The Red Cross Tree" event for children and adolescents from families in crisis on Grand-rue Street in Luxembourg City, from 9am to 5pm. From the 150 balls on the Christmas tree, passers-by will be invited to buy the ball of their choice, each representing a child identified by the social services. By making a donation with the desired value of the gift, passers-by will allow the Red Cross to purchase the gifts for the children. Donors will receive a drawing or written testimony by the child to whom they were offering the gift. Come and give a child a chance to celebrate Christmas like all other children! Thursday, December 9 - Humanitarian coffee meeting on dependency and isolation At a public breakfast, and in the presence of the press, at the Art Cafe in Luxembourg City from 9am to 11am, the Red Cross will start a debate on the dependency and isolation in Luxembourg as well as some solutions to this issue which is ever more present in our society. A psychologist will approach the problem of addiction and its psychological consequences for those involved. The initiative “Eng Hand fir déi Krank” will also be presented with the testimony of a volunteer who pays some visits to those in need to keep them company.