Where is Perham Minnesota?

Tuesday’s post noted the meaningful ritual around death and dying at Perham Living, a nursing home that operates with the resident as the center. Not the schedule, not the task, not the staff, the resident. This is the essence of Culture Change. It turns the “normal” ( actually a system that is lethal to staff and residents) way of running things on its head. That’s why a whole new understanding of the role and exercise of leadership is of foremost significance. It too is turned on its head. Really, it’s transformation. Seeing things with new eyes. My goodness, this sounds like Easter! Transformative culture change DOES generate new life for residents and staff! And it is budget neutral!

So where is Perham? It is a small town in western Minnesota. Perham Hospital was originally owned and operated by the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, MN. Many years ago the Sisters turned the hospital over to the county who still owns and operates the hospital and the retirement complex.

I visited Perham Living when it was offered as an onsite visit (and 6 CEUs!) opportunity of the 2006 Pioneer Network Conference. The nursing home was five years into it transformation from a mni-hospital model of a nursing home to HOME. An interesting question and even more fascinating answer was part of an interactive discussion period:

“Do you have a short-term rehab program?”

“Yes.”

“How many do you presently have in that program?”

“None presently. However, a very high percentage of individuals who come for short-term rehab choose to continue to live at Perham rather than exercise their option to return home.”

We as a group were pretty amazed. However, it was clear from our tour and conversations that people who live at Perham Living ARE at HOME! That’s the goal!!