Spitex is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to provide on-site healthcare for those residents of Lucerne who need outpatient care but are otherwise capable of remaining in their preferred home surroundings. Services provided include palliative and cancer care, psychological assistance, and physical and household services for the physically impaired.
Royal Gold has supported Spitex since 2020, providing a total of $438,000, which has helped support two areas important to the organization.
The first project is a multi-year program to reorganize Spitex for maximum efficiency and employee satisfaction. The organization has been challenged by demographic changes, including an aging population and a shortage of nurses. The Spitex New Work and Self-Organization initiative seeks to stay ahead of these developments through a combination of technology, training and structure.
The second project involves helping Spitex update its electric vehicle fleet. Spitex’s caregivers spend much of their time commuting to resident’s homes, resulting in the need to acquire additional e-bikes. The e-bikes are less expensive to operate than cars and also relieve the caregiver of the often difficult chore of finding available parking. For nighttime use or when extra equipment must be carried, the team has begun replacing its gasoline-powered smart cars with e-smart cars, which will help Spitex comply with city emissions regulations and reduce maintenance costs.
SDG Climate Action: One important goal for Spitex is to electrify its vehicle fleet to become carbon neutral. Royal Gold’s financial assistance is helping Spitex reach this goal.