PERHAM NURSING HOME OPENS DOORS TO NEW BUILDING AND NEW APPROACH TO CARE

Perham Memorial Hospital and Home, Perham, Minn., will host a public grand opening of its new nursing home on Saturday, October 7, 2006. The grand opening culminates a three-year, $14 million construction project and a transformation in resident care that has gained the Perham facility national attention.

The multi-phase project included a two-story addition to the facility that created four households. Each household is home to 16 residents and has a country kitchen, living room, dining room, and porch, with most resident rooms private. The existing structure was completely remodeled into two additional households and the Town Center, where residents can come together with the larger community to enjoy a movie at the theatre, shop at the General Store, go to church, and enjoy activities with children in the Schoolhouse.

Most notable, however, are the advancements that have been made in the quality of the residents’ lives.

“The fact that someone enters the nursing home for skilled care should not mean the end of the routines of daily living that they have enjoyed most of their lives in their own homes,” said Marilyn Oelfke, PMHH Senior Director of Long Term Care Services. “In our previous way of care, that is exactly what happened. With our new model, staff adapt to the residents’ routines, providing them with the support they need to continue to live their lives as they choose. This may mean baking cookies for family, watching the sunset from the porch, or sleeping in.”

Perham Memorial Nursing Home has been lauded as a pioneer for what is known in the industry as Culture Change. The nursing home was featured on the cover of Culture Change Now! and in the March 2004 and March 2006 issues of DESIGN. Leadership has been invited to speak at a number of state and national association conferences about their innovative model of care. In addition, nursing homes from across the state and country are making personal visits to the Perham facility to experience first hand how residents are cared for.

The grand opening will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. At 3:00 a short program will be held that includes dedication of the new chapel. Tours of the households and Town Center and entertainment by the residents are also planned.

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