Hospice of North Idaho says Kootenai Health, the Coeur d'Alene-based hospital district, has pledged $250,000 toward Hospice's plans to construct an inpatient facility in Coeur d'Alene.

The nonprofit Hospice of North Idaho has announced plans to build a $3.5 million, 10,500-square-foot Hospice House facility on a six-acre site it has purchased at 2212 W. Prairie, between Ramsey and Atlas roads. The facility is to include eight inpatient care units that will be used to serve patients who are nearing the end of their lives.

Currently, the nonprofit collaborates with Kootenai Health's main hospital, Kootenai Medical Center, to provide inpatient palliative care, which seeks to reduce symptoms when a disease can't be cured. It also offers hospice care on an outpatient basis and to clients in their own homes, but doesn't currently have its own inpatient facility.

Hospice of North Idaho plans eventually to move its administrative offices to the new facility, from 9493 N. Government Way, in Hayden.

"We would like to thank Kootenai Health and its board for their support of our project and our vision to continually improve on how we fulfill the needs of patients and their loved ones," says Paul Weil, Hospice of North Idaho's executive director.

Kootenai Health's pledge will be paid over the next 10 years. It brings to almost $1 million the amount of money raised so far toward the nonprofit's campaign goal of $3 million for the project, says campaign chairman Jon Hippler.

"If enough funds are donated, we are hopeful that ground can be broken for the facility this coming spring," Hippler says.

Joe Morris, CEO of Kootenai Health, says, "When Hospice of North Idaho was started in 1981, Kootenai Medical Center provided space in the hospital where they could begin their work. As our community has grown, the need for quality end-of-life care has grown, too. Kootenai has four Circle of Life rooms to accommodate terminally ill patients, and we see Hospice House as a perfect complement to help meet that need."

Inpatient hospice facilities provide a homelike setting, expert pain and symptom control, and compassionate end-of-life care, Hospice says.

The project campaign also received a $250,000 donation from the Curtis and Lillian Hanson Family Trust.

Hospice of North Idaho serves Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah counties and says it has noted a growing need for the services of a Hospice House.