An AAC Testimonial: Janice's Story

I want to share my experience with the lack of skilled nursing care for my husband in Champaign County.  After my husband suffered a serious stroke, there were no skilled nursing care options in Champaign County.  The only opening was an hour away.

When he was transported by ambulance, I arrived shortly after, but there was no one available to let me in or provide information. I left messages and waited over an hour with no response. In the weeks that followed, communication remained difficult. Calls often went unanswered, and I struggled to get updates on his condition.

Because he was so far from home, visiting required a two-hour round trip each day, though the weather sometimes made travel impossible. The distance also meant that I couldn’t easily stop by or ask friends to check on him. During his stay, his health declined significantly. He lost a substantial amount of weight and developed serious complications.

After a week and a half, with the help of a friend, I brought him home. He was traumatized, severely underweight, and suffering from fecal impaction.

Families in Champaign County should not have to travel long distances to stay involved in the care of their loved ones. Distance creates emotional, physical, and financial strain, especially for those with limited time or resources. I know other families who must travel across Illinois and even to Indianapolis to visit loved ones in skilled nursing facilities.

Regular family visits and close involvement are an important part of patient well-being and recovery. Champaign County urgently needs more accessible skilled nursing care options close to home.