Todd County PHNS, operating within Todd County, Minnesota, stands as a central provider of public health and nursing services to the diverse communities throughout the region. The agency is committed to the broad scope of health and social programs that support residents’ well-being at every stage of life. Services provided by Todd County PHNS include home health care, home health aide support, homemaker programs, health education, child and teen checkups, immunizations, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program, and comprehensive school health initiatives. The Public Health department focuses on health promotion, environmental health, maternal and child health, as well as both adult and child health visits. In addition, there are prevention programs and screening initiatives to ensure that community members receive vital health assessments such as pre-admission screenings and alternative care evaluations, many of which are Medicare approved.
Several senior centers in Todd County collaborate closely with Todd County PHNS to offer both programs and specialized nursing services tailored for the elderly population. The Long Prairie Senior Center, managed by Nutrition Sight Manager Myrna Golnitz, offers daily meals and a variety of social programs. Among the weekly activities there are card games on Mondays and Fridays, bingo on Wednesdays, and organized legal assistance monthly by appointment. Beyond social engagement, the center provides a half-day nursing clinic every second Thursday morning and a full-day nursing clinic on the last Thursday of the month, ensuring direct access to nursing care within a community setting. Evening meals are also offered twice a month except in November and December.
Similarly, the Osakis Senior Center, with Food Service Manager Sue Stoetzel, serves meals at a reduced cost several days a week and operates a Meals on Wheels program, supporting approximately twenty individuals with meal delivery. Both centers uphold a philosophy that no one is turned away for inability to pay and encourage contributions as participants are able. These programs help maintain nutrition and social connection for aging residents, while also seamlessly connecting them to health resources and nursing support provided by Todd County PHNS.
Todd County PHNS works collaboratively with other local care facilities such as Central Todd County Care Center, Lakewood Pine Apartments, Lakewood Manor Assisted Living, Terrace Heights, Valley View Estates, and West View Assisted Living Apartments. Through these relationships, the agency supports individuals’ transitions between home, assisted living, and nursing care. Additionally, the department works with various clinics in the county, including those in Bertha, Browerville, Clarissa, Eagle Bend, Grey Eagle, Long Prairie, Motley, Osakis, Pillager, and Staples, contributing to a networked approach to health and wellness.
Community health extends beyond senior care, as Todd County PHNS provides critical services such as health education, immunization clinics, support for families and children, preventive screenings, and environmental health resources. A focus on both individual well-being and public health illustrates a comprehensive dedication to the community. The department also manages special health programs such as the Sentry System and ensures that vital components like transportation, nutrition, and home care are coordinated for the benefit of Todd County residents, demonstrating the agency’s integrated and holistic approach to supporting health across the lifespan.