["Hospice concerns the whole person!"--voluntary hospice helpers supporting dementia patients].

Due to demographic change and increase of dementia there is an obvious need of voluntary hospice helpers who support dementia patients. The aim of this qualitative study was to describe the experience and challenges of hospice volunteers supporting dementia patients. The results were taken into account in the development of a training course.

["Quality of life means acting independently". How do COPD-patients experience non-invasive ventilation? A qualitative study].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disorder including chronic obstructive bronchitis, emphysema and combinations. The management of stable COPD in an advanced stage involves noninvasive mechanical ventilation. There is a lack of convincing scientific studies about the influence of mechanical ventilation on quality of life.