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Home & Community Based Services

Hospice Program

Hospice care is frequently misunderstood and often equated with imminent death. On the contrary, hospice care is a type of health care that focuses on quality of life, the wishes of the patient and family, and easing distress at the end of life and for 13 months preceding death. Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering. Our Hospice program provides care wherever a patient calls home such as KRCC, SMC, and Senior Suites.

Our Hospice program has been serving Mercer, Oliver, and portions of Dunn Counties since 1996.

What we do

  • Manage the patient’s pain and symptoms
  • Provide emotional support
  • Provide medications, medical supplies and equipment
  • Coach caregivers on how to care for the patient
  • Arrange for special services like speech and physical therapy when needed
  • Make short-term inpatient care available when pain or symptoms become too difficult to manage at home or when caregivers need respite time
  • Provide grief (bereavement) support

Choosing Hospice is not giving up on your loved one; it’s actively choosing to have a voice and some control during the last stages of life. Hospice can help you choose care that is aligned with our values and priorities.

Hospice referrals may be initiated by patients, family members, friends, or healthcare professionals.

Palliative Care Program

Palliative Care is for people living with a serious illness. We focus on relieving the symptoms and stress that goes along with conditions like cancer, congestive heart failure, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, kidney disease, and more.

Our specially trained doctors, nurses and other care providers work with the patient’s care team to provide additional support.

We aim to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Our program is appropriate for any age at any stage of illness and can be provided along with curative treatment. 

What we offer

  • Support and education
  • Symptom management
  • Navigation through illness progression
  • Home safety and supportive devices
  • Advanced care planning
  • Funeral planning
  • Spiritual support

If you or a loved one is living with a serious illness and could benefit from support and symptom management, Palliative Care may be a good option. Our team will help you gain the strength to carry on with daily life more comfortably.

Contact

Rachel Sem, RN, BSN
Interim Hospice Director
(701) 748-7380

Volunteer

Direct Patient/Family Volunteer
Visit and offer companionship to patients and their families at one of the most difficult times.

Fundraising Committee
Help raise money for the Hospice program by planning and organizing our fundraisers.

Learn more about our volunteer opportunities or apply online.

Fundraising & Community Support

A caring community is what makes our Hospice program successful. The community typically donates 25% of the cost of the Hospice program. These donations help with program expenses not covered by insurance and covers care for people without insurance. We hold a number of fundraisers throughout the year, but accept donations any time. 

Make a Donation

Help us provide patients and their families with the care and resources they need. Donations go through the SMC Foundation, so be sure to designate 'SMC Hospice' when making a donation.

Donate