No one wants to think about death. While it is inevitable, it is a tough topic. At Fairview Range Home Care and Hospice, our entire team is ready to help you or your loved one approach this day with dignity and comfort. From in-home palliative care to Medicare-certified home care and hospice, our primary goal is providing the best and most holistic care to every person we work alongside.
Some people might be wondering: what is the difference between home care, hospice and palliative care? This article will provide further information for you to learn more about these services. We invite you to reach out to us to help determine which of these services would be the best fit for you or your loved one.
Who We Are
We are a Medicare-certified home care and hospice agency that also provides palliative care in the home setting. As part of the Fairview Range health network, our home health services support and complement the hospital and clinics in providing the continuum of care.
“We have 17 registered nurses, two licensed practical nurses, three physical therapists, two physical therapy assistants, two occupational therapists, and four home health aids,” explained Karly Olson, Hospice & Palliative Care Supervisor.
Our agency services a 35-mile radius from our Hibbing office, and we also have a branch in International Falls. We offer Home Health Care, Palliative Care, and Hospice.
Home Health Care
Home Health is skilled care delivered directly to a patient in their home. This type of care is supportive, and provided by licensed professionals including nurses, therapists, and aides for the purpose of treating or managing an illness or injury or medical condition. We can work with your insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. Our staff will work with your primary care provider, and develop a personalized plan of care following physician orders.
Home Health Care services:
- Nursing procedures, such as wound care dressing changes
- Medication teaching and management
- Health care education to help you and your family manage your illness
- IV therapy
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, and mobility
Hospice
What is hospice care? It is specialized care for those with a life expectancy of six months or less. It is an alternative to curative aggressive treatments. Hospice focuses on quality of life, with a goal to manage symptoms. Our team consists of nursing, social work, chaplain, volunteers, Home Health Aides, physician, nurse practitioner, and more.
Hospice services:
- Pain and symptom management
- Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual care
- Support for you and your family specific to your needs
- Grief support through a period of bereavement
- Medical equipment
- Medications to promote comfort and alleviate symptoms
“Our focus is not on solving diseases — it’s managing symptoms to help them achieve their optimal level of health” stated Dr. Jeff Copeman, Family Medicine Physician and Medical Director at Fairview Home Care and Hospice for the last 27 years. “Our job is helping with symptom control and we focus on end-of-life goals.”
“Hospice care was started in England in the 1980s,” explained Dr. Copeman. “Dr. Bayard French of Hibbing went overseas to study hospice care and took what he learned there, then returned to Hibbing and started North Star Hospice in 1984. It went on to operate under that name for many years, then they became part of the Fairview system in 2003 and currently is part of the service line named Fairview Range Home Care and Hospice. Another neat connection is that Dr. French’s granddaughter is now one of our hospice nurses.”
Palliative Care
Another service we offer is palliative care. This specialty care is an uncommon find in Minnesota; Fairview Range Home Care and Hospice is currently the only place offering it on the Iron Range. But what is it? It is a step before hospice when someone is dealing with an illness that could be terminal. It helps you become fully prepared mentally, physically, and spiritually when more terminal diagnoses arise.
“Palliative care is all about creating a bridge to hospice. Taking them in before they get to end-of-life care,” noted Olson. “People who have transitioned from palliative care to hospice care have more trust because they have the same team caring for them.”
This palliative program is also unique in northern Minnesota because it is provided under the patient’s home health insurance benefit. The referral can come from your primary care provider or while you are in the hospital.
“Palliative care and hospice care are truly holistic. We are looking at the patient’s — and the family’s — spiritual needs, physical needs, emotional needs. We have social workers to help with long-term planning, finances, emotional support and counsel. It’s a comprehensive program,” said Nurse Practitioner Jean McCue, who has spent over 40 years with Fairview.
“Jean McCue actually inspired me to be a nurse. She took care of my dad in 2007 on our hospice program – that’s when I decided I wanted to work in this field,” added Olson.
Serving the Iron Range and International Falls
Our program not only services the Iron Range, it also has a team in International Falls. Both programs cover a sizable region of Northeastern Minnesota. Our Hibbing team services a 35-mile radius from the Hibbing office. We also have a branch in International Falls that services Koochiching County, however palliative care services are currently not offered in that area.
Your Donation Matters to Our Community
Fairview Range Home Care and Hospice is a nonprofit organization. Some of our services are only possible thanks to the generous philanthropy of the community. Due to COVID-19, we have unfortunately not been able to host our Hearts for Hospice event for two years now. This fundraising event helps raise money for the Fairview Range Home Care and Hospice Restricted Fund. This fund is used for: massage therapy for clients and caregivers, the spiritual, bereavement, and volunteer support programs, non-covered medical supplies such as briefs, gloves, wipes and air pressure mattresses, and to cover the cost of any uninsured clients or those who do not have insurance coverage. If you’re interested in making a donation to our program, donations can be made online at fairview.org/giving or contact us for other options.
Need a Hand? We’re Here
The benefits of home care and hospice are endless. The Fairview team has helped countless individuals with their individual needs and goals.
“We are so fortunate to be able to provide Medicare-certified hospice and home care services to our community,” commented Dr. Copeman.
“It’s highly individualized,” said McCue. “We ask each patient what they want to get out of the program. It just depends on the person.”
Fairview Range Home Care and Hospice is here for anyone needing home care, hospice or palliative care on the Iron Range or in International Falls. If you or a loved one have questions on how to be referred to a program please call our office to inquire if our services would be right for you.
To contact Fairview Range Home Care and Hospice, call our offices.
Hibbing – 218-262-6982 / 877-272-6982
International Falls – 218-283-3031/ 866-748-2824
