Addressing the Skilled Nursing Bed Shortage in Champaign County

Site of the former Champaign County Nursing Home, which closed in 2023.

More than two years ago, a growing number of older adults and their families began to recognize a serious shortage of nursing home beds (also known as skilled nursing beds) in Champaign County. Spouses searching for post-hospital care and adult children trying to support aging parents quickly discovered that appropriate care was often unavailable close to home.

In response, community members formed a grassroots group, Advocates for Aging Care (AAC), to better understand the issue. Working with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and other experts, AAC gathered data and confirmed the severity of the situation:

• Seventy percent of individuals seeking skilled nursing care encounter difficulty accessing it.

• Of the more than 700 skilled nursing beds projected to be needed by 2026, Champaign County is short over 300 beds- a deficit of about 40%.

• The county has lost more than 450 skilled nursing beds in recent years.

• Champaign County is the only county in Illinois with a shortage of this magnitude. Most counties have a surplus of skilled nursing beds.

With these findings in hand, AAC began exploring solutions and reached out for community support. Key partners, including Carle and OSF hospitals, Christie Clinic, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, the University of Illinois, Parkland College, and the Champaign County Board, have joined the effort. State leadership has also played a role, with Senator Paul Faraci securing a $500,000 allocation in the state budget to support capital development for a new project.

This collaboration has created an opportunity not only to build a new skilled nursing facility, but to reimagine care delivery through an innovative, home-like model known as Green House Cottages. AAC is working closely with the University of Illinois and Parkland College to advance new approaches in facility design, clinical care, and caregiver training.

Today, more than 500 advocates are supporting this initiative. To stay informed about progress, including site selection, groundbreaking, and other updates, please sign up for the newsletter at www.advocatesforagingcare.org.

Together, we can ensure that seniors in Champaign County have access to the skilled nursing care they need- right here at home.