Red Wing, MINN—During the 2010 legislative session, Benedictine Health System (BHS), Fairview Red Wing Health Services (Fairview Red Wing), and Ebenezer received the legislative authority needed to plan and develop a new model of care for seniors in the Red Wing community.

By focusing on meeting the needs of seniors in a variety of ways, the care can be provided more effectively and efficiently. The new care model will include construction of a new facility on the Fairview Red Wing campus designed to meet the needs of seniors in innovative ways.

“As our population ages, it is critical to have the ability to meet the needs of an aging population in new and innovative ways,” said Dale Thompson, BHS president/CEO. “As health care providers we have an obligation to provide the care needed to allow individuals to remain independent, living at home with the support needed for as long as possible.”

Both Fairview Red Wing and BHS currently offer programs which provide care planning for seniors and their families. Fairview Red Wing’s Partners in Aging engages seniors and their families with a patient advocate who connects the senior to the care resources needed to maintain the quality of life whether at home with assistance or in a senior living facility offering a variety of care.

In addition to creating its own Care at Home model, similar to Partners in Aging, BHS is currently collaborating with Steele County in their “Communities for a Lifetime” initiative. The initiative, underway for the past two years, is coordinating care and services for seniors and for the construction of a replacement post-acute/long-term care facility.

As part of the new care model, St. Brigid’s at Hi-Park and Fairview Seminary Home will plan to consolidate their facilities into a new building to be located on the Fairview Red Wing Health Services campus. Fairview Seminary Home employees are part of the Ebenezer system and will bring the expertise of that senior care organization to the partnership with BHS and Fairview Red Wing.

At this time, the impact of this new vision on the jobs of Ebenezer and St. Brigid’s employees is unknown.

“However, because our community is aging and the number of older people needing care and support is growing relative to the available number of younger care givers, it is expected that we will need all current staff and then some across a new, broader continuum of care,” said Scott Wordelman, CEO, Fairview Red Wing Health Services. “Those jobs may be different from today's jobs but it should be an exciting new opportunity for all of us.”

“At a time when Minnesota has closed many community nursing facilities, this partnership brings together the expertise and experience of three organizations dedicated to caring for area residents to create something new,” Thompson added. “In addition, current economics make it critical that we work together rather than independently to exercise good stewardship of available resources.”

Planning for the new care model will begin by seeking input on the care needs of the community. Discussions with a wide range of stake holders will include current residents of both facilities and their families, staff at both organizations, the faith community, public officials and others with expertise in meeting the needs of older adults.

“We are grateful to Representative Tim Kelly and Senator Steve Murphy for working to see the needed legislative authority was approved,” Wordelman said. “While not a controversial bill, it required detailed follow through to make sure it passed.”

It is expected that the planning and development of the care model and the facility will take place over the next two-three years.

The Benedictine Health System, a not-for-profit, Catholic, health care system, is based in Duluth, Minn., and sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery. Founded in 1985, BHS has grown in size and expertise from three organizations to more than 70 long term care, housing with services and assisted living facilities located in 40 communities across seven states.

Fairview Red Wing Health Services provides a continuum of health care in Goodhue and Pierce Counties including hospital, clinic, senior living facilities, home care and hospice, transitional care and long term care. As part of Fairview Health Services, Fairview Red Wing partners with Ebenezer in providing senior care in the area.

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