Hospice
HOSPICE CARE
Unconditional support and comfort for you and your family.
When we hear "hospice," many of us think of a friend or loved one who has a very short time to live. Often, that's true. The beauty of hospice care, however, is that it can empower life. Anyone, of any age, is eligible for hospice care if they have a life expectancy of six months or less. Once your loved one enters hospice care, our team will help manage their pain, make them comfortable and provide emotional support to them and their family.
Our hospice care helps your loved one reach their end-of-life goals whether those are crossing off something on their bucket list, taking the last visit to their favorite park or anything in between – as long as we can manage their symptoms and keep them as comfortable as possible.
Enriching Services
Click the icons below to learn more about a particular enriching service.
If you would like to learn more about Hospice Care at Knute Nelson, please contact us by calling (320) 335-8690 or request more information by filling out a form here.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many questions an individual or a family has when it comes to Hospice care for their loved one. Below are answers to a few of the more common questions about hospice services.
When can you admit my loved one to Hospice?
We provide informational visits and admissions 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. We can admit your loved one to hospice at any time.
What is covered by insurance?
Hospice care is typically covered by Medicaid, Medicare, Veterans' benefits and almost all private insurance policies. No patient is denied care based on inability to pay or coverage status.
If your loved one has a life expectancy of six months or less, they are eligible for hospice services. It covers everything related to your loved one's terminal illness such as medications for comfort, a hospital bed, medical equipment for mobility and visits by hospice staff. The sooner your loved one enters hospice, the sooner they receive extra care and compassion from our entire hospice team.
What is the length of time someone can be on Hospice?
Your loved one can initially stay in hospice care for six months. After that, the hospice medical director or another hospice doctor needs to re-certify that they are still terminally ill. While it isn't common, some patients have stayed on hospice for more than a year.
Our Hospice Care Team
Our hospice care team surrounds each of our patients with care and support. They meet regularly to ensure seamless communication, coordinate care and make certain that the family's needs are addressed. We work closely with patients' primary physicians to manage and coordinate pain, discomfort, medications, and care.
We're available when your loved one needs us, whether that's during the middle of a weekday or on a weekend.
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Dan Kryder is the Medical Director for the Knute Nelson nursing facility and the Knute Nelson Hospice program. He is an internal medicine physician at Alexandria Clinic of Alomere Health. Learn more.
REGISTERED NURSES
Registered Nurses continually assess the patient and their family. They determine individual needs, help your loved one remain comfortable, coordinate additional team members and support the patient and family. They also teach family members caregiving skills.
HOME HEALTH AIDES
Home Health Aides help with activities of daily living and personal care such as bathing. They also provide emotional support.
THERAPISTS
As part of your loved one's care plan, therapists provide physical, occupational or speech therapy to help reduce pain or alleviate symptoms related to their hospice diagnosis.
SOCIAL WORKERS
Social Workers coordinate resources within the community, help ease emotional or family challenges and help your loved one and their family plan for the future. They are also available to provide grief support for the family before and after their loss.
CHAPLAINS
Chaplains provide spiritual care to your loved one and their family. They also work with your loved one's clergy. Hospice chaplains honor and respect all spiritual philosophies.
If you would like to learn more about Hospice Care at Knute Nelson, please contact us by calling (320) 335-8690 or request more information by filling out a form here.
Knute Nelson Hospice Office Locations
Alexandria
2715 Highway 29 South, Suite 103
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 759-1273
Grand Forks*
4491 South Washington Street
Suite A
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 757-0328
Detroit Lakes*
115 Willow Street W Suite 2
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-8402
Wadena
618 Jefferson Street North, Suite 2
Wadena, MN 56482
(218) 632-1335
*Services provided by our partner agency Ethos Home Health Care and Hospice.