ing of a residential hospice has been a dream of the Wedum family of many years.” In April 2011, thanks to the generous support of donors, community members, the J.A. Wedum Foundation, and Allina Hospitals & Clinics, construction began on the 12-bed residential hospice. The J.A. Wedum Residential Hospice opened its doors in February 2012. The J. A. Wedum Residential Hospice House, designed by Mohagen/Hansen Architectural Group for Allina, embodies all that is important to patients and their family. This facility, which is one of four freestanding hospice facilities in the Twin Cities, helps fulfill Allina’s vision of changing the way end-of-life care is provided in this country. The J.A. Wedum Residential Hospice was designed to meet Allina’s goal of being the gold standard for end-of-life care. The journey begins
Given the challenge to develop an independent hospice facility in a quiet, residential setting, Allina set out to find the right design partner, teaming with Mohagen/Hansen Architectural Group, which provided the exterior building design and interior build-out of the facility, and DJ Kranz Construction, which served as general contractor. Together with Allina and the Allina Hospice Foundation, the planning of a beautiful facility was underway. The design process began with a work session that included all project stakeholders. Sharing ideas helped the architects and interior designers ascertain the design style the group preferred. During this work session, a series of words were used over and over to describe the desired outcome such as comfort, healing, celebration, life, flexibility, and caring. Those words were carried through to all design discussions. The design style was defined as one that included: • Texture • Lighting • Color • Wood • Glass • Connections to nature Renderings were developed of both the building exterior and
the interior in order to communicate the character and feeling of the space for fundraising efforts. These efforts attracted donations from the community at-large, a large portion of which were the result of what has now become the Allina Annual Hospice Foundation Benefit. The J.A. Wedum Foundation also agreed to match, dollar for dollar, the first $2 million in gifts raised from the community.
times a day in each resident’s room. There is a private dining area and a kitchen area for family and friends where they can prepare a meal and enjoy it together. The many attributes of home provided within the Hospice House allow residents to remain comfortable while extending that same comfort to their family and friends, who are encouraged to come to the house and offer support and love at any time.
Like going home
The building is strategically placed on the site to take full advantage of views of nature and wildlife. As you enter the building, family members are greeted with warm colors, a rich wood archway, soft lighting and pillars similar to what one would find in a model home. As an alternative to hospice care being provided in a patient’s home or the hospital, it was important that this facility offer all of the comforts of home with proper medical support. The house has 12 private rooms each with a private seating area, and an attached patio. Residents are encouraged to personalize their rooms with photos and other memorabilia or accessories that make them feel comfortable and “at home.” Each room has a private bathroom and a comfortable sofa sleeper for a family member who wishes to spend the night. There is also a full, shared guest bathroom for family use. A large hydro therapy tub is also available to all residents. The house has a number of gathering spaces. There are two large “family rooms” that are perfect for spending quiet time with friends and family outside of the resident’s room. A large “reflection room” was designed as a peaceful space, overlooking the pond and natural edge of the site, where family and residents can quietly focus on their thoughts, spirituality, and loved ones. Children of all ages are welcome in the house. A separate children’s play area is available for children to play games, watch television, and connect with friends online. Residents are given a choice of meals, which are served three
A dream becomes reality
Since opening in February 2012, the J.A. Wedum Residential Hospice House served more than 25 families in its first two months, with a length of stay close to the national average of 17 days. Staff members report that the beauty and warmth of the facility have an immediate impact on visitors as they enter the house, and that families comment every day about the wonderful care their loved ones are receiving. Though Medicare covers the cost of hospice care, the room and board costs, which total
nearly $400 per day, are the responsibility of the resident. It is the hope of the Allina Hospice Foundation, that through continuous fundraising efforts and generous contributions from others, they will continue to be able to provide quality, compassionate, hospice care to all who wish to receive it. Although John Wedum passed away before the journey to develop a residential hospice house began, his wife Mary Beth was instrumental in the process. Her inspiration and extreme generosity set the tone for the success of this facility. Sadly, Mary Beth passed away at the end of February 2012, not long after cutting the ribbon for the grand opening of the J.A. Wedum Residential Hospice House. The entire project team takes solace in knowing that she was able to see the dream she and John shared become a reality. Gloria Cade,RN, BSN, CHPCA, is director of Hospice and Palliative Care for Allina Health System. Mark L. Hansen, AIA, is health care principal and partner at Mohagen/Hansen Architectural Group.
FAMILY PRACTICE w/OB Crookston, MN and Roseau, MN • Country Lifestyle.... Urban Technology • Dedicated Team Approach • Competitive Salary & Benefits Idylic Practice Opportunities located in family friendly communities. Leave the hassle and bustle of the city behind. Contact: Kerri Hjelmstad, Physician Recruiter Altru Health System PO Box 6003 Grand Forks, ND 58201-6003 1-800-437-5373 Fax: 701-780-6641 khjelmstad@altru.org
www.altru.org JUNE 2012
MINNESOTA PHYSICIAN
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