Hospice
Providing Compassionate Care at the End of Life
We believe the end of life should be tailored to your needs and wishes allowing you to maintain independence and your familiar routines for as long as possible.
Appointments: Call 507-646-1457
After hours and on weekends, call to be connected to the on-call nurse.
Caring For You At The End Of Life - Northfield Hospice
We know the end of life is a difficult time for patients and their families. We work together to develop a care plan that meets your individual needs and wishes.
The end of life should be a time for you to be able to visit with friends and complete important tasks in the comfort of wherever you call home.
Overview of Hospice Care
Hospice is a holistic program of care for patients who are considered to be in the last phase of their life. We provide support and help for patients and their families wherever you call home. Hospice is not a place, but a philosophy of care that recognizes that death is likely near and improving your quality of life is most important.
Hospice is a team-oriented approach that provides medical, emotional and spiritual support tailored to your needs and wishes. The goal of hospice care is comfort rather than cure.
YOU Are the Focus
You determine your plan of care. We will discuss:
- your goals
- any events you would like to attend
- what people you need to see
- what things you need to complete
Things change, and something that was important yesterday may no longer be important today. We will continually ask you what is important to you.
FREE Informational Visit
Have Questions?
If you aren't sure what hospice is or what it has to offer, have questions, or not sure if its the right time to start hospice, call us to set up your free informational visit.
A hospice team member will visit you wherever you call home to provide you and your care givers with information on:
- how we can help improve your remaining time
- discuss the services we offer
- answer your questions so that you can make an informed decision about your hospice care
Call 507-646-1457 to set up your FREE visit.
Levels of Care
Learn about the various levels of care we offer.
How Hospice Care Works
Learn about how the requirements to qualify for hospice, the initial assessment and what happens day-to-day.
Grief and Bereavement Services
Your family and care givers will not be left alone once you are gone. Learn about Bereavement services.
Goals of Hospice Care
Together, we develop a care plan that meets your individual needs and wishes and is tailored to how you want to spend your remaining time.
- Recognize that dying is a natural state and we do not seek to hasten or postpone death
- Preserve your familiar daily routines for as long as possible
- Provide compassionate, respectful care and help manage your symptoms
- Preserve dignity and ensure the integrity of your personal choice
- Focus care on your physical, emotional and spiritual needs
- Provide continuity of care, whether at home or in a nursing facility
- Offer bereavement support to family and friends who are grieving
Hospice Services
- Pain and symptom management from RNs
- In-home visits, plus phone consultations available 24/7
- Home health aides to assist with bathing and personal care
- Medications, medical supplies and equipment related to your diagnosis
- Counseling and resources from social workers
- Spiritual and emotional support from a chaplain
- Consultations with physical or occupational therapists
- Dietary counseling
- Volunteer visits for companionship
- Massage therapy
- Bereavement support for your loved ones
Family / Caregiver Support
Your family or care giver are not alone on this journey, there is always someone you can call. We provide care in collaboration with whomever is your primary caregiver, whether a family member, friend or care center nurse. We provide:
- 24/7 registered nurse on-call support
- Teaching and support on how to administer medications
- Training on how to care for their loved one’s personal needs
- Answers to questions and concerns about what to expect about the dying process
- Support from a chaplain who respects your faith and beliefs
- Volunteer visits to allow family members a break or to run errands
- Funeral planning assistance
- Bereavement / After death services for 13 months. Learn more about Bereavement Services.
Hospice Services Are Covered
Hospice Services Are Covered 100% by Part A Medicare, Medicaid, & Many Private Insurances
Medicare and Medicaid will pay expenses related to terminal illnesses including medications, medical equipment and supplies. Private insurance will be reviewed before starting hospice services. Medicare will pay hospice services within a care center except for room and board.
Service Areas Covered
Care is provided within 25 miles of the Hospice office location in the following counties. We provide service wherever patients call home, including house or apartment, nursing home or assisted living facility.
- Dakota
- Goodhue
- Le Sueur
- Rice
- Scott
Donations
Many family members and friends of those served by hospice make contributions to the Northfield Hospital Foundation Hospice Campaign as a lasting and meaningful memorial. Your gift provides comfort and relieves stress for hospice patients and their families and allows them to make the most of their remaining time.
Your heartfelt gift provides comfort to others:
- Clothing and slippers for those who can’t afford them
- Monitors to families so they can hear their loved one from another room
- Weighted blankets to help soothe those with Alzheimer’s or Dementia
- iPad so families can see and connect to loved ones out-of-state or overseas
- Airfare to fly in a family member from out of state when there are no funds
- Reading materials for hospice families
- Care boxes for families
- Anything that can add to comfort and care for the hospice patient and their family.
How to Donate:
Donate to Hospice Now by credit card, debit card or bank account. Select Hospice in the “Select a campaign” drop down.
Donate by Mail: Please make check out to Northfield Hospital Foundation and write Hospice in the memo line. Mail to: Northfield Hospital Foundation 2000 North Avenue, MN 55057
Learn more about Northfield Hospital Foundation.
Frequently Asked Hospice Questions
When should hospice care start?
Hospice care is of greatest benefit when it is started early enough to allow you to:
- Maintain independence and your familiar routines for as long as possible
- Complete important tasks
- Organize personal affairs
- Complete spiritual services
- Visit with friends and say goodbye to loved ones
How do I get started?
Your primary care doctor will need to send us a referral for hospice. Referrals can be faxed to 507-646-1395.
Where can I receive hospice care?
Care is provided within 25 miles of the Hospice office location in the following counties. We provide service wherever patients call home, including house or apartment, nursing home or assisted living facility.
- Dakota
- Goodhue
- Le Sueur
- Rice
- Scott
How is hospice care paid for?
Medicare and Medicaid will pay expenses related to terminal illnesses including medications, medical equipment and supplies. Private insurance will be reviewed before starting hospice services. Although room and board expenses are not covered in a facility, all other services are covered by the hospice benefit.
What is the difference between home care and hospice?
While hospice and home care have some similarities, hospice provides a higher level of care with more services. Home care is intended to help you get better and is not intended for people with a life expectancy of six months or less.
With hospice you get an extra layer of support including:
- 24/7 registered nurse support
- Support is provided to both the patient and the family
- Medications, medical supplies and equipment related to your diagnosis
- Changes in medication can be made without a doctor visit free of charge
- Additional members to the care team:
- Counseling and resources from social workers
- Spiritual and emotional support from a chaplain
- Consultations with physical or occupational therapists
- Bereavement support for your loved ones
- Trained volunteers
Is hospice only for people with cancer?
No. Hospice is for anyone with a 6 month or less life expectancy and who wants comfort care and to maintain their independence for as long as possible.
Does a person need to be bedridden to be eligible for hospice?
No. People are eligible for hospice no matter what their physical condition.
Can a person stay on hospice if they live longer than 6 months?
If the person lives longer than the initial 6 months, he or she can be recertified by the hospice medical director. Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance will continue to pay for hospice services as long as the person continues to meet the hospice criteria.
Will my family be supported once I am gone?
Bereavement services are available for family or caregivers for 13 months after the death of their loved one. Learn more about Bereavement Services.
Who will make the funeral arrangements?
We can help. Social workers can make arrangements with funeral homes. Chaplains can help with funeral service planning to help remember and honor you.
Can I continue to see my primary care provider?
Yes, you can continue to see your primary care provider.
Do you provide services for a person living in a skilled nursing facility or nursing home?
Yes, we can offer services wherever you call home. We will work in partnership with the care team at the facility to ensure the best care for you. We are there to support your care and your family.
Can I quit hospice?
Yes, you can leave hospice at any time.
Is room and board covered at a care facility like a nursing home?
Medicare does not pay for room and board at a care facility. Although room and board expenses are not covered in a care facility, all other hospice services are covered by the hospice benefit. We can provide hospice services in a care facility.
Service Locations
Northfield Hospice
Our Team of Doctors and Providers
Nurses
- Kathryn Benjamin, RN
- Lindsay Bergeson, RN
- Lainey Durscher, RN
- Yvonne House, RN
- Emily Osgar, RN
- Jan Rohwer, RN
- Vicki Schetnan, RN
- Kayla Zandstra, RN
Home Health Aides
- Wanda Bottema, HHA
- Patricia Kadrlik, HHA
- Lisa Sevcik, HHA
Other Hospice Care Team Members
- Leilani Legried - Intake/Referrals
- Katie Obeton, MSW - Hospice Social Worker / Hospice Bereavement Coordinator
- Susan Warring MSW - Hospice Social Worker
- Brittany Leese Hospice Volunteer and Office Coordinator
- Julia Kallsen - Hospice Chaplain
- Charlye Bruneau - Director of Hospice and Home Care
- Dr. Berit Amundson, Medical Director