There is no doubt that we are working in a period of constant change. Despite these challenges, I remain optimistic for our future at Knute Nelson.

Brittney Thoreson, Vice President of Operations at Knute Nelson, grew up coming to the Alexandria lakes area to spend time with family. Little did she know, she would discover a “second family” here as well.

“Hospice is a way of providing comfort and care. It’s a beautiful service,” said Sara Severson, Therapeutic Musician at Knute Nelson. “Not only for the patients but their families.”

Four years ago, Stuart and his wife, Evelyn, moved to an independent living apartment at Grand Arbor. “We did not want to have to make a housing decision at a time of crisis,” he said. Moving was also a chance to downsize and de-clutter.

I’m Gyra Rozell. I came from Overland Park, Kansas, and I’m living at the Nelson Gables.

My husband worked in Kansas City and when he passed away, I moved up here because my son is up here. My son married a girl from Minnesota, settled on Lake Ida and here I am.

Hospice provides quality of life and comfort for those at the end of life. It helps patients manage pain, makes them comfortable and supports them physically, emotionally and spiritually.

The Blessing and Power of Healing Touch for Hospice Patients

Imagine you’re in hospice. You’re uncomfortable. You’re probably in pain. Medications can help, but they can bring their own problems.

What if there was something that might bring relief without side effects?

Have you heard about healing touch?

Learn more about Knute Nelson’s Short-Term Rehab

At first, Jack, a Knute Nelson memory care resident, sat back and listened to Sara Severson, as she provided therapeutic music with her song and guitar to him and his
​​​neighbors on a weekly basis.

“Hi, there!” When Dave said those two words not long ago, he connected with his grandson.

If you or your loved one has required assistance with managing their health, you know that health care has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. Today, there are more options for receiving care than ever before, from independent living to assisted living, care centers and home care. Elloise lives in her home in Park Rapids, MN. After several complications she knew that she needed assistance to remain in her cabin home on the lake where she feels most comfortable.

After a surgery, injury or illness, your first thoughts are probably on how you can quickly recover and regain your strength. You want to get back to living independently in the fastest, most efficient way possible. This is what Knute Nelson can help you do through our home health care services.

As a young girl growing up, Brittney Thoreson came to the Alexandria area with her family to visit quite often. Her grandparents lived here. Together, the family enjoyed spending time on the local lakes and getting every opportunity they could to experience the beautiful outdoors.

Dave’s family was referred to hospice following a hospital stay to help him manage the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of his stage four cancer. What they didn’t expect was the close bonds they’d develop with their care team and the extent of care they’d receive to enable Dave to stay at home with his family.

Heikes’ recovery was interrupted when her second leg was amputated – a frustrating blow that required more recovery and more care at home.
“I can’t imagine anybody getting through the process unless they had someone that was as knowledgeable as they were and capable of giving the help,” Heikes said of the Knute Nelson specialists who helped her. Heikes wholeheartedly recommends at-home care from Knute Nelson.

Home Health and remote health monitoring services kept Dale Prechel from making countless trips to the doctor.

Prechel was in the hospital in Fargo for 31 days, and even after he was discharged, his doctor told him that he needed to have additional care at home. That’s where Knute Nelson came in.

While every hospice care experience requires a unique, tailored approach, we wanted to share the experiences of Connie Spanswick. She is a member of our spiritual care family who joined us shortly after her father Bob transitioned through hospice care at Knute Nelson. By shining light on the full breadth of what Knute Nelson hospice has to offer, Connie’s story brings clarity during these challenging and often confusing times.

As we age, staying at home can pose unique challenges. Household chores and maintenance pose undue risks. Here’s why residents and their loved ones feel at peace after choosing Knute Nelson.

While our experienced staff is adept with everything from chronic illness management to personal care and companionship, we wanted to highlight the Home Health Care journey of Violet Davis. Her life was turned upside down after an accident.

Through our Hospice Life Enriching Services at Knute Nelson, we’ve seen the difference of tailored care firsthand. Learn the key benefits of therapeutic music from the lens of Jackson Burns, a therapeutic musician with Knute Nelson Hospice.

Is it safe to continue living at home? Who can we turn to for professional support? Should we consider assisted living?
As these questions build up, our Knute Nelson family is here with answers you can trust. That’s what Julie Urke discovered when her father’s neurocognitive disorder began to progress. She could have never expected how Knute Nelson would change her life as well.

Grace Evink is a senior in high school. She wanted to get a part-time job to keep busy, earn money for expenses, and to prepare for college. In her search for a job, Grace said, “I really wanted an employer that was reliable and understanding with my school and sports schedules – giving me the flexibility I needed. I wanted to work where they really thought of me as an employee and team member, not just a number, and I found that at Knute Nelson.”

At Knute Nelson Hospice, we believe that an essential stage of the hospice care experience begins immediately at admission and continues after the patient passes. While providing care and support for patients is critical, family support throughout the process is just as important. Learn more about Knute Nelson Hospice bereavement services.

In the Alexandria lakes area community, Fred Bursch’s name was synonymous with two things – travel and philanthropy. Fred was the person who was known for giving so generously to everyone else. In his time of need, Fred and Terri turned to Knute Nelson Hospice to bring peace, care, and comfort to his final days.

Navigating the end of life can be difficult, and when hospice care becomes a real consideration for you or a loved one, uncertainty oftentimes follows suit. In some situations, family members may even find themselves in a race against the clock to make a sound decision, unsure of where to turn.

As Jay Walter struggled with ANCA vasculitis, he found the lifestyle he knew and cherished hanging in the balance. Read how Knute Nelson Home Health Care helped Jay get back on his feet.

As her father’s health declined, Kathleen Schwantz-Dahl turned to Knute Nelson Hospice to provide peace and comfort in his final days. Read why she is grateful for the care her family received.

After entrusting her Uncle Robbin‘s well-being to Knute Nelson memory care, Rebecca Tormanen noticed dramatic positive changes that redefined her perspective of memory care.

Nearly 15 years ago, senior leaders endeavored to incorporate servant leadership into our organization. The first call President & CEO Mark Anderson placed was to Vern Anderson. Read more about his impact on Knute Nelson.

Through our hospice life-enriching services, we go beyond traditional expectations. Through the lens of Linda Carey, we hope to shine a light on the compassionate services that set us apart.

Tim Malmgren was given just months to live by his doctor. In the days that followed, his wife Joyce gathered their family to discuss options. Knute Nelson Hospice was the clear choice.

After a surgery navigating the road ahead can feel daunting. Progress and consistency may seem well out of reach. For David Kjos, the road to recovery meant relearning many of the everyday movements and activities that once came as second nature.

Whether you’re preparing for surgery, seeking post-surgical rehabilitation, or wanting to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the Nelson Wellness Center offers support for every goal. We’re eager to share the story of Kim Suter, a member who underwent two knee replacement surgeries.