Veterans Home In Luverne Being Investigated

by Jill Johnson
February 21, 2013 5:27 PM


The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has launched an investigation. They're looking into the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. We do know that an interim administrator has been appointed.

Paula Peterson says her 88-year-old father has been in the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne since last Summer. She says when he was entered into the home, it was a weight off her mother's shoulders.

Peterson said, "They have bingo for him to play, they have activities all the time. The churches come in and they do Lenten service."

That's why she's surprised to hear that the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has launched an internal investigation into the home.

Peterson said, "We've been very happy. We had no idea."

In a statement released by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, the Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Health Care said very little, except that the investigation is quote, "in response to staff feedback" and the investigation is "recent". Also in the statement, the commissioner said, "it's not related to care or issues around life-safety." An investigation, that's news to Peterson and her mother.

"You haven't heard anything about it? No, not at all," said Peterson.

According to an employee with the Minnesota Veterans Home, an investigator and counselor arrived at the home on Feb. 8 and that day, both an administrator and volunteeer coordinator were asked to leave.

The employee says there's been talk at the home about it being a 'hostile work environment', that there was a 'poor employee survey' and a 'lack of Certified Nursing Assistant help'. It's a shock to Peterson who says she chose the home because of it's high marks and wonderful staff.
    
Peterson said, "It's very nice. All the people have been very nice, that we've worked with."

When KDLT called the Minnesota Veterans Home Thursday morning, we asked for Michael Bond, who is listed as the Minnesota Veterans Home Administrator on their website. We were told he was not available. A man named Craig Barness said he was acting as the home's interim administrator, and he could not give me any information regarding the investigation.

According to the Minnesota Veterans Home website, it provides nursing care for 85 residents.