Discovering The Mature Lifestyle
Adult day program in Burnsville brings children and seniors together. Page 3
LTC Care
October 15, 2015
October Issue
Celebrating life at a home hospice in Edina BY SUE WEBBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER More than 20 years ago, Bob Solheim discovered an alternate care model for people who are dying. He credits a good friend who was like a father to him for inspiring him to make that model a reality in Edina. Solheim was a young court reporter when he met Newton Little, owner of the Little Press at 63rd and Penn avenues. “I was 22, and he was 65,” Solheim said. “I needed business cards. He took a shine to me and we became fast friends. He ended up teaching me all about business ethics.” Little was diagnosed with cancer at 85, and despite his wish to die at home, he died at the age of 90 in 1992, after two years at a nursing home. Solheim subsequently became involved with assisted living, and, in his own words, “My life was transformed.” “I discovered that people could die with dignity, peace and compassion in a home setting filled with love and kindness,” Solheim said. “Instead of hoping for a cure, they could now hope for a gentle death and hope that their symptoms would be well managed. Their dying could be much less frightening and more bearable for all concerned.” In 1996, Solheim co-founded the first residential hospice in Minnesota and named it in memory of his friend: N.C. Little Hospice. The home in Edina now is one of four licensed residential hospices in the Twin Cities; there are a total of 12 li-
Bob Solheim met with Brianna Lindell, a family member of one of the patients at N.C. Little Hospice. (Submitted photo) censed residential hospices in the state. “We had to pave new ground,” Solheim said. The Edina house, built in 1957, originally was a double bungalow. It had eight bathrooms and 12 bedrooms. Solheim notes that most nursing homes have one registered nurse for every 50 patients. “If you’re dying, you should not be there,” he said. And often, dying patients whose pain is escalating and symptoms are
unmanageable no longer are safe in their own homes, he said. His eight-bed home hospice is consistently full, Solheim said. The average stay is 6.5 days; the median is 4.5 days. “Our staffing level is exceedingly high,” he said “We have 25 registered nurses, 15 support staff and 100 volunteers.” He also employs a full-time cook. The hospice’s goal is to meet needs of the patients in four areas: psychological,
social, physical and spiritual. “People come here and feel they’re going to be loved,” Solheim said. “We provide acceptance and kindness.” He doesn’t deny that hospice care is bittersweet. “Of course, we’re sorry our patients are dying,” he said. “But we celebrate life. We treat people and help them to live until they die. We give our patients comfort care, dignity and tenderness. Everything is quiet, gentle and accepting.” On a recent Saturday, for example, three patients at the hospice died. But the facility also was the scene of a wedding. One of the women who was close to death and would miss her son’s wedding was cheered when her son took his wedding vows in her room. Another woman’s daughter brought all her wedding attendants to the home in their bridesmaid dresses, so her dying mother could see them. “We do crazy things,” said Solheim, who is at the hospice part of every day. “We’re family-centered. Isn’t that the way life should be?” The residence also is open to families of the patients. Some stay overnight. There is an area where children can play games such as Ping-Pong. There also is on on-site chapel. Family members will find scripture readings displayed at the home: Psalms 139 and 23. “We feed 20 to 40 family members and other people every day,” Solheim said. “It’s like Christmas and Thanksgiving here every night. We have turkey, ham, and SOLHEIM - TO PAGE 2