22 LaSalle County Nursing Patients Transferred to Nursing Home in Streator, IL

LaSalle County Nursing Home in Ottawa, IL employees reached out to area nursing homes for help evacuating 68 patients after the February 28^th tornado struck its building causing severe damage. Parker Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, at 516 Frech Street in Streator, took in the most at 22 and also assisted with their transfer that night.

Parker staff who owned SUVs or vans quickly assembled to form a caravan that also included Parker’s bus. Driving through dangerous road conditions of scattered debris, downed wires, blocked roads, and damaged trees, they slowly threaded their way along back routes the 20 miles to County Home. Normally, a 30-minute ride, it took them an hour.

Parker’s administrator, Kelsia Phillips, recalls what happened. ”The County Home staff were calm and well organized when they greeted us. They gave us the patients’ personal belongings, supplies, and medications for transport back to Parker. Once we loaded the patients onto our bus we decided to sing, to help lighten the mood and create a calmer atmosphere. They chose “Amazing Grace,” and that’s what we sang all the way back to Parker.”

Their caravan was also joined by an ambulance transporting two additional patients.

Kelsia noted that the patients, many of whom have dementia, did not appear scared or in any distress.

“Our staff back at Parker were waiting for us to arrive and worked tirelessly through the night to settle them in and make them feel comfortable. Many employees got little to no sleep. We owe a big thank you to McDonald’s for providing discounted breakfasts to our staff and volunteers, the water supplies from Aqualiciojs, and bags of candy from Thornton’s gas station. I cannot say enough how proud I am of my team for their selfless effort.”

Many of the patients Parker accepted have the diagnosis of dementia and were unable to call families to reassure them of their whereabouts. Both staff at LaSalle County home and Parker contacted families that night and into the next day informing them of their new location.

Patients arrived with a few personal belongings, supplies, and only 3 days’ worth of medications. Although their immediate needs were met, Parker’s staff will coordinate efforts closely with LaSalle County nursing home over the next several days.

“Integrating 22 new patients overnight into our building and officially admitting them is a more complicated process than most might think,” explained Kelsia. “There are many behind-the-scenes considerations from their insurance companies and reimbursement sources to therapy needs and pharmacy. We will continue working with the County home staff to make sure their residents receive everything they need clinically beyond a warm bed and three meals a day.”

As one family member relates…

“The tornado came quickly,” said Mary Lou Schomas, whose husband was transported from the LaSalle County home to Parker. “I was in my basement for hours with only my weather radio, its flashlight, and a crossword puzzle to keep me company. A County Home nurse called me around midnight to let me know where my husband had been transferred. I was grateful for the information which put my mind at ease and came here to see him this morning. As you can see, he’s doing fine.”

“I’d like to reassure families that if they want to continue having their loved one reside with us, we’d love to have them stay," Administrator Kelsia said. "At this point, the County Home still does not know how long it will take before they can be repaired and able to accept their patients back again. To avoid another move for these families, they’re welcome to consider Parker as their new home.” ###