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Senator brings early anniversary wishes to Luverne vets home

Lead Summary
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By
Mavis Fodness

U.S. Senator Tina Smith toured the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne for the first time May 30 as part of a “Rural Economy Tour” of southwest Minnesota.
Smith briefly addressed the crowd at the veterans home as a Memorial Day Service was wrapping up.
She has served as senator since 2018, after serving as the state’s lieutenant governor for five years.
Smith, in a short address, congratulated guests, veterans and staff on the facility’s 25th anniversary, in advance of the June 7 public celebration.
Smith left staff with an official letter.
“It takes tremendous effort to run an organization like this successfully,” the letter read in part. “The meaningful and positive impacts your organization has had on veterans and their families does not go unnoticed.”
Eighty-five residents currently reside at the facility for veterans and their spouses that opened in 1994.
Administrator Luke Schryvers led Smith on a brief tour, explaining the facility’s focus on creating a home-like atmosphere.
He pointed out recent upgrades, easy access to outdoor terraces and the special care unit for residents with advanced dementia.
“I am really struck how important it is that people have an alternative,” she said. “They don’t have to be so far from home.”
Schryvers said the brotherhood connection veterans experienced while serving in the military is carried on throughout hallways and rooms of the Veterans Home.
Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Doug Hughes said more facilities like the one in Luverne should be located throughout the state.
His office submitted application for matching federal funding for three new nursing homes in the state — in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston.
They would join the existing veterans homes in Luverne, Fergus Falls, Minneapolis, Silver Bay and Hastings.
“We will circle the state,” Hughes said if the three new homes receive funding later this year.
Smith also received feedback on the “VA Mission Act of 2018,” signed into law last year.
Criteria are currently being developed to improve:
•veteran access to health care.
•funding for staff training and recruitment.
•expanded programming such as adult day care centers, which allows veterans to stay in their homes longer.
Luverne currently has a waiting list of 12 veterans and 90 spouses.
Smith visited with staff members, residents and their spouses before finishing an afternoon tour of Luverne and Rock County businesses.

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