Countryside Nursing and Rehab sits in Dolton, Illinois, and offers care for people needing long-term stays, short-term rehabilitation, and memory care for Alzheimer's or dementia, with skilled nursing services on hand day and night. The facility has 197 certified beds and serves the Chicagoland area, Indiana, and the South Suburbs, taking Medicare and Medicaid. It's a for-profit, corporate-owned nursing home, and doesn't belong to a continuing care retirement community. While the facility has private and semi-private rooms, landscaped outdoor areas, and regular activities like movies, crafts, games, religious services, and outings, it also provides therapy services for physical, speech, and occupational needs, offering help after injuries or hospital stays, and supports people with palliative, hospice, and respite care as well as services like wound care, IV therapy, and case management for those who need more medical support.
People at Countryside Nursing and Rehab get daily meals, help with laundry and housekeeping, and have access to a snack shop, a computer for use, cable TV, a private lounge, an enclosed courtyard, and beauty or barber services, with staff available round-the-clock. The place runs social programs, religious and cultural activities, exercise groups, and has a book cart and community trips to keep folks engaged and supported. Wellness programs and psychiatric rehab are on the list of what's available, and there's a resident council for input.
The facility's ratings and oversight record are mixed, and families may want to review them closely. U.S. News and World Report gave it an average score for long-term care (2 of 3), below average for short-term rehab (1 of 3), and an overall score of 2 out of 5. CMS rated Countryside Nursing and Rehab at one star overall, which means "much below average," with low scores in health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. Past health inspections showed 14 deficiencies, and over the last three years, the place saw five federal fines totaling $283,944. It has a current consumer alert from CMS for a citation related to abuse, and some allegations or cases in the recent past involved abuse or neglect, so anyone looking should be aware of those details. Staffing is a concern, with only 1 hour and 13 minutes of CNA care and 22 minutes of registered nurse care per resident each day, both well below state averages.
Some health statistics at Countryside are above average and others fall below state or national levels. Vaccination rates for flu and pneumonia are high. The percent of residents losing too much weight and the rate of new or worsened pressure ulcers are very low, which can be good signs, but the percent of residents with depressive symptoms, those physically restrained, and those given antipsychotic medications are notably higher than state averages. The percent of residents able to go back home from short stays is lower than averages, and the readmission rate to hospitals is higher. The facility offers many promised services and has a staff that aims to listen to residents' needs and stories, but the regulatory and quality ratings suggest that families should pay close attention to these factors when weighing options for their loved one's care.
