Granite Falls Hospital and Manor announces the creation of the Terrie McCoss Activities Fund.  This fund is established as a memorial to Terrie and her selfless dedication to the residents of Granite Manor.  Terrie was killed in a car accident on her way to work on February 18, 2013. This fund is established to provide for Activity supplies, equipment and functions that are above and beyond the routine activities provided by the Manor.  The initial money to establish this fund was donated by the family of current Manor Resident Ernie Rotunda as well as some of Terrie’s co-workers.  If you wish to donate, you can send a check to Granite Manor, 345 10th Avenue, Granite Falls, Mn 56241 with the notation on the memo line “Terrie McCoss Fund”.

For many people the Holiday season is one of the few times during the year that adults and their loved ones spend time together.  The Holidays may be a time when families face and discuss the difficult decisions about finding care or a new living arrangement for their relative.  Could your loved one need additional help with daily living?  The following is a list of things to help you consider the need for possible changes to keep your loved one safe.

* Have medications been refilled on schedule, or have they been missing doctor appointments?

* Had a change in their eating habits within the last year, weight loss, no appetite, outdated food in the refrigerator?

* Has their personal hygiene changed, resulting in wearing dirty clothes, body odor, neglected nails and teeth?

* Their home isn’t as clean or is more cluttered then you remember growing up?

* Changed relationship habits, have friends and neighbors expressed concern about your loved one?

* Had physical problems such as burns or injury, resulting from general weakness, forgetfulness or possible misuse of medications?

* Stopped participating in activities they used to love such as playing cards, book club, dining with friends or going to church?

* Is there a pile of unopened mail, piling newspapers, are bills left unpaid?

* Sending money to every organization that sends out requests and entering an unusual amount of contests?

If you notice any of the above concerns or notice other changes and want to talk to someone about your loved one and see what options are available for home care or an alternative living situation, call Nancy at Granite Ridge Place  320-564-3382 or Jody at Granite Falls Home Care 320-564-6226

By Scott Tedrick

For over 50 years Mavis and Lowell Gustafson have called the rural Hanley Falls prairie their home. Thanks to Home Healthcare Services like those provided by the Granite Falls Hospital and Manor that’s not likely to change anytime soon.
The Gustafsons have been blessed with a level of health and vitality that has allowed the pair to farm until retirement age and to volunteer well after––giving some 20 years to the historic jewel that is the Hanley Falls Machinery Museum. Nevertheless, nobody outruns Father Time and the two were reminded of this when both were stricken with separate bouts of illness.
“We started having health issues the past year,” said Mavis. “Both of us were hospitalized but luckily through Home Healthcare services we were able to come home sooner, instead of having to go to a nursing home or something.”
“It felt good to get out of the hospital and get home,” added Lowell.
The Granite Falls Hospital offers Home Care services in the hopes of maintaining continuity of  care between the hospital, nursing home, clinic, physician and/or health care setting to individuals of all ages through professional nursing services offered in-home. In the case of the Gustafsons, this involved a roughly month long period of in-home care that was gradually reduced as each individual’s health improved.
“I’d heard of Home Healthcare for years and never thought anything of it, but when you need it yourself it’s a little different,” Mavis said.  “It was a big relief not only for us but for our kids. They’re all so busy so they can’t drop everything and be here, so it’s nice for the rest of the family too.”
As was the case with Lowell and Mavis, the amount of time that health care providers will typically fund a hospital stay is limited. Thereafter, a patient must return home or receive continued care through a nursing home, or some other manner. For the Gustafsons, Granite Falls Home Care proved the ideal transition.
“It’s a little scary when they say you’re going to go home,” recalled Lowell. “You’re a little weak and not sure how you’re going to handle all of this… but then they make arrangements with Home Healthcare.”
Home Healthcare services include daily living assistance with showering/ bathing, dressing, grooming, transferring/ambulation, eating and /or medication reminders. Homemaker services may include meal preparation, light housekeeping and/ or local errands.
In addition, professional assistance may include education, wound care, IV therapy, palliative care, treatment procedures, injections, lab draws, and health and medication assessments––with services lasting anywhere from a few weeks to several years, depending upon the client’s needs and pay sources.
Other Home Care services may include follow-up home visits for newborns; telecommunication services for close monitoring of oxygen level, heart rate and other metrics; as well as professional service for physical, occupational and/or speech therapies.
The needs of the Gustafsons tapped into Home Healthcare services on the minor end of things, but were nonetheless essential in terms of getting the pair’s health back up to par.
“And you just can’t help but love all those girls. They’re so caring and so nice,” said Lowell of the Home Care nurses and therapists. “That’s part of it. A lot of it. When you’re around people who are so nice that makes you feel better.”
Today, the Gustafsons no longer require Home Healthcare services and are back up and running at close to 100 percent.  Soon, they are hoping to enjoy their retirement with a bit of travelling, preferably to somewhere a little warmer. According to Lowell, Nevada’s high up on the list, as the pair has a penchant for gambling.
Wherever they decide to head, they will do so knowing that they could not have made the trip without the return to health facilitated by the Granite Falls Hospital and Home  Healthcare.
Said Mavis, “I’m sure there’s going to come a time when we need a nursing home or extended care or something, but when you can do it at home it’s so much nicer.”

Mavis and Lowell Gustafson outside their Hanley Falls home with Granite Falls Home Care Nurse Kim Savig