News Release: Specialized Hospice Care Unit Expands
Hospice of North Idaho Executive Director Kim Ransier announced that the nonprofit received a sizable contribution of $150,000 from Kootenai Health. The generous gift will support the cost of expanding Hospice’s in-patient unit, the Schneidmiller House. A $20,000 portion of the gift will help support the Wine Taste annual fundraiser for three years, with Kootenai Health as Presenting Sponsor.
“With this donation, Hospice of North Idaho and Kootenai Health are ensuring that our community receives the best care, at the right time, in the right place,” adds Kim Ransier Hospice of North Idaho executive director.
Idaho's only hospice inpatient unit, the Schneidmiller House requires expansion to meet community need. Currently, the Schneidmiller House offers 14 private rooms and operates at an 85% capacity on average, meaning that the unit is in high demand. Additionally, population growth statistics forecast an astounding 30.8% growth increase from 2016 through 2026 in population age 65 and over.
Adding seven rooms with about 5,000 square feet will accommodate current and future needs for end of life care in North Idaho. The Schneidmiller House provides care for patients needing 24-hour clinical support in a home-like setting.
“Kootenai Health and Hospice of North Idaho have a long history of working together. We are both non-profit organizations with a common goal of ensuring people in northern Idaho can receive the care they need, close to home,” said Kim Anderson, spokesperson for Kootenai Health. “We understand the need these new rooms will fill for families in our community, and we are proud to be able to support Hospice of North Idaho in this way.”
Local nonprofit Hospice of North Idaho built the original unit in Coeur d’Alene in 2011, and it is the only in-patient unit of its kind in Idaho.
Funding the expansion is supported by the community, who raised $51,000 during the Hospice’s annual fundraiser. The Hospice Wine Taste paddle raise focused on raising funds to furnish the seven-room expansion with supplies, furniture and equipment.
“The donations from our community and especially Kootenai Health allow us to meet the needs of our community. We will always be growing to meet the need.” resounds hospice nurse Cindy Reed, Director of the Schneidmiller House.
While over 90% days of care are provided in patient homes, Hospice of North Idaho offers the Schneidmiller House to patients in emergent conditions. “These patients are often fragile, under stress, and experiencing complicated medical challenges that only specialized hospice clinicians can address,” explains Schneidmiller House Director Cindy Reed, RN, CHPN.
Earlier this year, the Hospice once again lead the State in its healthcare innovations. The nonprofit built a two-story Community Building alongside the Schneidmiller House inpatient unit, establishing the six-acre Coeur d’Alene property as Idaho’s only Hospice Campus.
“In our nearly 40 years of community care, Hospice of North Idaho has consistently listened and responded to meet the community’s needs,” comments Denna Grangaard, Hospice’s director of communication.
Hospice of North Idaho ranks in the top 100 hospices in the nation and earned national Hospice Honors awards three years in a row. Its care is backed by the Joint Commission; the nations’ most established accrediting organization. Hospice of North Idaho is proven to deliver the highest quality of care as measured by caregivers in Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah counties.
