Serving Veterans in Minnesota Long-Term Care Communities

By: Paul Contris, president and founder of Mission Healthcare

Mission Healthcare is proud to have four of our long-term care facilities certified by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs – Evergreen Terrace Healthcare Center in Grand Rapids, Bethel Care Center in St. Paul, St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault, and the Red Wing Health Center. While these communities are not considered Veterans Homes that are operated by the state, the certification means that qualifying veterans can get assistance to support their long-term care needs at these Mission Healthcare communities.

We have applied for the Veterans Affairs certification in response to the needs of communities in which there are larger populations of veterans who need long-term Minnesota care. With this certification, we must meet the high standards set by the Department of Veterans Affairs and undergo additional evaluations than the ones already set by the Minnesota Department of Health. Mission Healthcare strives to provide exceptional care to meet the unique needs of our residents, and this certification is another example of how we are supporting this mission.

At Mission Healthcare, we also want our seniors to feel connected to the larger MN community outside of our assisted and long-term care homes. In several of our facilities, organizations like the American Legion and VFW hold meetings at Mission Healthcare communities to make it easier for our veterans to attend.

Community members also work with our residents and associates on special activities to recognize veterans. For example, at Evergreen Terrace Healthcare Center and Red Wing Health Center, all of our veterans’ pictures and service information are placed on the wall of a special “Veterans Hallway” for all to see. And at our Evergreen Terrace Healthcare Center, our newly remodeled Alzheimer’s unit is dedicated in memory of Sgt. Donald E. Rudolph, Sr., who was the last surviving Minnesota Medal of Honor recipient from WWII and a former resident at Evergreen Terrace Healthcare Center.

This page is also available in PDF format: (By: Paul Contris)

Mission Healthcare is honored to be able to serve our veterans who have given so much to our country. For more information about us, visit www.missionhealthcare.org.