Quincy Reporter

Next to Home program helps woman feel right at home

When 84-year old Patricia M. Lawber of Quincy found herself needing a place to rehabilitate after a fall at her home, she did not know she would be in for a whole new adventure.

“I was at Blessing Hospital in Quincy and had arrived there by ambulance,” Lawber said. “I wasn’t well enough to go back to my cottage at Good Samaritan Home so I needed someplace else to go for a few days while I got better.”

That place ended up being Illini Community Hospital and the Next to Home recovery program.

“The Next to Home program, sometimes referred to as Swing Bed, is intended for any patient recovering from an acute illness or surgery and is not quite ready to return home,” said Alyssa Heavner, Nurse Manager of Acute Care at Illini. “Patients must require skilled therapy or nursing care in a 24-hour facility and we can provide that here.”

A lifelong resident of Quincy, including a 50-year career at Mercantile Bank, Lawber says she had never been to Pittsfield, let alone Illini Community Hospital.

“This is the first time I’ve been to town and it’s just wonderful,” Lawber said. “When I arrived here, they met me at the door and made me feel welcomed. I was thankful for that.”

During her stay at Illini, Patricia found out how close to home the Illini team really could make her feel.

“The people come and help you right away when you need anything. They are very friendly,” Lawber said. “And the food – having food brought to you really spoils a person. You just feel like you are at home and that helps you recuperate really fast.”

Heavner says the goal of the program is to help get the patients back to how they were prior to their hospitalization.

“Our team is committed to providing exceptional care to our patients,” Heavner said. “They find ways to help the patient succeed and really make a true human connection.”

In addition to the rehabilitation services provided, the Next to Home program also has a provider available 24-hours a day and access to lab and radiology services should they be needed.

For Lawber, while she was excited to go home, she was also thankful for the experience.

“I would very much suggest this place for anyone who needed this type of stay,” Lawber said. “I was so thankful to be at Illini and everything was ideal. I am hoping to get a chance to come back to the community for a visit.”

For more information on the Illini Next to Home program, call 217.285.2113 ext. 3250.

Original source can be found here