Fergus Falls camp helps children and families deal with grief - Click here to see video
Kevin Wallevand - 09/27/2011
A special camp is coming up in Fergus Falls. It's a 1 day event to help children and their family deal with a topic so few of us are good at: Dealing with grief. It is called Camp Emily, named in memory of a bubbly, much loved 2 year old who was senselessly and tragically killed at her day care 5 years ago.
Lynn Johnson always knew her 2 year old daughter Emily was something special. 5 years after her death, there is a legacy in the form of a one day Camp Emily. Where children as well as adults come together to share grief and joy stories. Tesa Rude and her son Dawson attended the camp and came away refreshed.
Tesa Rude – Attended Camp Emily: “The dying and going to heaven and we know where we are going, the spiritual aspect is there but letting us grieve is not there and this lets us do that.”
Everyone who attends the camp may be at different stages with their grief. A recent death perhaps, or unresolved feelings from a loss long ago. Counselors like Jim Wold say it allows families to open up to others going through the same thing.
Jim Wold – Camp Counselor: “We all need to talk and that is part of the healing process.”
Emily's mom, Lynn, still cannot believe she has been without her little girl 5 years. The camp is one way she and her family find some peace out of the tragic loss.
Lynn Johnson – Camp Emily Founder: “I have told some friends that the funeral part is not the tough part but the days and weeks and months, just sucks. And so it is good that people are here who have gone through it.”
None of us is very good at grieving....expressing loss.....but this upcoming camp...Emily's Camp, honors the little girl who changed lives in a short time, and whose spirit now touches families who never even knew her.
Camp Emily will be held Saturday, October 8th at Lakeland Hospice in Fergus Falls. Registration is still open. Call Hospice at 218-998-1400.
Lakeland Hospice House expanding
WDAY Staff Reports - 09/21/2011
Lutheran Brethren Homes is expanding to help more people in Fergus Falls. It's launching a 12,000 foot expansion on Lakeland Hospice House, on the north edge of town. Right now the home has 8 beds for patients only. After the remodel more than 30 beds will be available. The building will become an assisted living facility and a place for Hospice patients.
John Zwiers – Lutheran Brethren Homes: "If you are going to have to go into a nursing home, and you need care, just dealing with getting up, getting dressed, that sort of thing. That's what we'll be able to do."
Construction starts in the next few weeks. It should take around 9 months to complete.
The following is the press release in its entirety that was sent from Lakeland Hospice & Home Care to the Daily Journal and other media on Sept. 15.
Contacts: John Zwiers, LB Homes, Administrator, 218.998.7300
Mary Widiger, Marketing Coordinator Lakeland Hospice & Home Care 218.998.1400
September 15, 2011 Lakeland Hospice House Plans Expansion
[Fergus Falls, MN] On Wednesday Lutheran Brethren Homes, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, announced plans are underway for the Lakeland Hospice House to undergo an expansion to include an enhancement of services provided at the house.
The plan includes a 12,000+ square foot addition, part of which had already been designed into the original blue prints for the house. The addition will allow room for enhanced assisted living services in a total of 34 private rooms, a number of which will continue to be dedicated specifically for hospice patients.
The finished facility will offer a higher level of service than traditional assisted living, giving people a direct alternative to nursing home care. Amenities will include more specialized and holistic care, private living quarters with private bathrooms, a higher ratio of care providers to patients, a whirlpool spa, chapel and spiritual services, housekeeping, laundry services and more.
The Lakeland Hospice House will continue to accept hospice patients until construction begins later this Fall. At that time, hospice patients who would have moved to the hospice house will be welcomed at specific rooms designated for them at the Sheridan House during the interim construction period.
At an all-staff meeting on Wednesday, it was reiterated to Lakeland Hospice & Home Care staff that all employee positions are being retained during this transition and the amount of staff hours will be maintained as closely as possible. The completion of the new addition is projected to take approximately nine months from start to finish.
Regular home health care and end-of-life services currently provided by Lakeland Hospice & Home Care will continue throughout their service areas which include Fergus Falls and the surrounding communities.
Donations made to the Lakeland Hospice Foundation will continue to support Lakeland Hospice services. Lakeland Hospice Foundation remains an independent 501 (c) 3 and exists as its own entity supporting end-of-life services.
For more information please contact Lakeland Hospice & Home Care at (218) 998-1400.
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Lakeland Hospice Motorcycle Ride a Success!
go to our website at www.hospice-ride.com for more information.
For information about events please contact our Hospice Office at (218) 998-1400.
To speak to someone about making a contribution to the Hospice House, to purchase a brick or paver for the Hospice House or to make a donation to Lakeland Hospice Foundation at (218) 998-1423.