3/14/2024 8:30:00 AM
On Tuesday, Feb. 13, the newly opened Minnesota Veterans Homes - Bemidji welcomed its first Resident, Jim Larson.
Larson, 89, signed up for the Air Force when he was 19 years old and served for more than two decades, retiring in 1974. Resort owner, dancer, karaoke singer and world-traveler, Larson has some strong feelings about setting down roots at the Bemidji Veterans Home. “No one likes to leave their own home,” Larson said. “But there are times when you have to move forward. I feel like I’m one of the luckiest people alive. I’ve visited a lot of people in nursing homes. This place is more like home. The people here treat you like family.” Larson will be able to celebrate the beginning of his ninth decade of life with his extended family at the Bemidji Veterans Home when he turns 90 in May.
Feb. 13 move-in activities garnered media attention, including this detailed story from the Bemidji Pioneer.
Home Administrator Kevin Gish notes, “This Northwoods-themed, skilled nursing environment is absolutely beautiful. After more than a decade of local advocacy and planning and two-plus years of construction, we now have an amazing, amenities-filled space in which people can live, work or volunteer.”
During the next few weeks, the Home will continue to admit up to a total of 24 Residents. It must then successfully complete a recognition survey from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (Federal VA). The survey is expected to take place later this spring.
Once that Federal VA survey is completed, the Home will continue to admit additional Residents and hire the remaining staff required to care for a full facility. It will also be pursuing its certification with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the first year of operation.
While the Bemidji Veterans Home has hired most staff needed for the first months of operation, additional employees will be needed as more Residents are admitted. To learn about employment opportunities, visit /mdva/about/work-for-mdva/featured-jobs.jspMinnesotaVeteran.org/Careers and search Current Jobs.
“The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is honored to open this third of three new Veterans Homes across the state,” said MDVA Commissioner Brad Lindsay. “As our 294,000 Minnesota Veterans age, it is more important than ever that we can care for them in their final years.”
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