Hospice House seeks input for other options
After news broke last week that Homestead Hospice House planned to close, the most common questions was probably “why?”
Now, the question becomes “what now?”
Though the hospice facility is a part of Allina Health Home Care Services, Allina does not own the building that opened in 2005 on the outskirts of Owatonna.
The reason given for closing was “significant financial challenges … and the low utilization of Homestead Hospice House and Hospital Sleep Center.”
In other words, not enough money and not enough patients.
Since Allina was a tenant, why can’t the hospice house continue to operate on an independent basis?
Maybe it can, and you can help.
“At this time, the Homestead Hospice House community board is figuring out what to do next,” the group said in a statement Monday.
“We have heard from hundreds of community members and know there is an active concern to re-establish the Homestead Hospice House as a home for the terminally ill in this community,” the statement continued. “We invite community members to share their ideas with us by emailing: board@owatonnahhh.com, or mailing us at Homestead Hospice House, ATTN: Board of Directors, 2350 NW 26th Street in Owatonna.”
The board of directors “are deeply disappointed and saddened with Allina Health’s recent decision to close their inpatient residential hospice program.
“The welcoming environment of the Homestead Hospice House, and the peace grounds on which it sits, has been a place where patients can live their final days in a restful, safe place, where their loved ones can step back from caregiving and focus on what really matters – being a family,” the statement said.
Homestead, the group reiterated, “is owned by this community (after being) funded and built by Owatonna and Steele County community members nearly 20 years ago.”
As it stands now, the facility will honor all pending admissions to the house.
The Homestead Hospice House also served as the home offices for Allina Health Owatonna hospice and home care services staff members.
In its statement, the board of directors said it will “miss offering them a beautiful space in which to work, as well as a place where patients and family members can gather with their loved ones.”