HELEBOR, care incubator

Since 2021, HELEBOR, a not-for-profit organization, has been extending the activities which le Fonds pour les soins palliatifs has been conducting since 2011. The Michelin Corporate Foundation is giving its support to the organization’s new role as an incubator of projects. Its aim is to constantly improve the quality of life of patients in palliative care and their families.

Patient life stories

HELEBOR has developed a partnership with the Passeurs de mots, passeurs d’histoires® association to encourage the writing of patient biographies in hospitals in France. Terminally ill patients are given the chance to tell their life stories to a hospital biographer. They receive a bound copy of the book of their life to which they put their signature.

This novel support initiative in palliative care is important for the patients, their families and for healthcare professionals. In the distress caused by illness, telling the story of one’s life brings appeasement, liberation and self-esteem.

Wellness afternoons in palliative care units

Wellness afternoons take patients and their families out of the confinement of sickness and reintroduce them to a sensation of pleasure. Different therapeutic approaches are offered, such as hairstyling, beauty treatments, reflexology and relaxing massage sessions. They improve the treatment of suffering through a holistic approach. These special moments of comfort and kindness are important for calming anxiousness and helping patients to sleep.

Assisted living apartments

Underprivileged people suffering from serious illness are doubly penalized. Their illness prevents them from working and their hardship prevents them from receiving healthcare.

A study carried out in two hospitals in eastern Paris has demonstrated a lack of refuge facilities for socially vulnerable patients requiring palliative care, especially those under 60.

To meet the need for refuge facilities, HELEBOR offers an experimental accommodation scheme within specialized palliative care apartments.

A team comprising a dedicated social worker, a nursing organizer, an educational assistant, a psychologist and a coordinating doctor provides care to residents.

This project brings together the areas of palliative care and social work and aims to reduce inequalities in access to healthcare.