Walnut Acres - Freeport, Illinois

Travis W.

**Rating: 4.5/5 Stars**

My overall experience with Walnut Acres - Stephenson Nursing was highly positive. The quality of care my mother received was significantly above average. Her medical needs were consistently met, including timely administration of medication, effective pain management, and attention to her emotional well-being. The staff went above and beyond by regularly bringing her out of her room to the nurses' station, where she could interact with others, helping to keep her engaged and occupied.

The professionalism and thoughtfulness of every staff member I encountered, both in person and over the phone, were impressive. They consistently exhibited empathy and compassion in their interactions.

I had daily communication with the staff via phone, because I reside 6 1/2 hours away, and they were always pleasant and kept me informed of my mom's status. They also would call me if anything changed, even slightly, to keep me notified and ask for my input as they seemed to deem family's perspective valuable.

The facility itself is clean, though it's worth noting that it is an older building and could benefit from some updates. Despite this, it felt safe and welcoming, with a front desk, flowers, and a friendly staff member greeting visitors in the lobby.

I would definitely recommend Walnut Acres - Stephenson Nursing to others. Both of my parents spent about five weeks here (at separate times) and they both required skilled nursing care, which is one of the main reasons we chose this facility.

Our experience confirmed that we made the right choice.

Beth N.

My stepfather is a resident. He is very happy at Walnut Acres. The staff is kind and caring and I have seen nothing but respect shown toward him and the other residents when I am visiting. This home is doing its best to care for both the residents and their families. I’m glad he was there during the pandemic and so well protected and cared for.

Carolina N.

My mother was at Stephenson Nursing Center for over a year. I really liked the care that my mother received from the nurses and cna’s. They were like my moms family. I liked how the staff was consistent. I had my mom in two other nursing homes and there was always different nurses and cna’s all the time. My moms health improved and they got her off oxygen and she was very stable. The only problem I had was with the social services director. She was a nice lady but she just did not seem to do her job well. It was a headache dealing with her because she just wasn’t knowledgeable or resourceful. I only spoke to the administrator once, face to face because I was getting nowhere with the social services director and she was very rude to me. She seemed upset that I was coming to her with a problem that the social services director could not handle on her own. The administrator and social services directors should be replaced. Otherwise I have no complaints about Stephenson Nursing Center.

Lois M.

Staff does not do head count or check on residence. Oct 2015 Father went out to have a smoke fell. He laid there 2.5 hours. He finally got his cell phone out to call for help himself. Had a broken hip. My Father did not want to move because he had friends there. Only two Nurses would call to let me know he had fallen Between 2014 and 2020 called to let me know he had fallen . On July 9 2020 , My father fell at 11pm I got a call at 11:30 pm that he fell and was blooding all over and did I want him to go to the Hospital. I said yes. My Father weighted 153 pounds on that day. My father went into hospice on July 11 2020. Was still able to do things himself. Till mid September2020. When my family I started to see a change in him. Sleeping a lot, table moved away from bed, no fluids in room. Food trays on table but no one to help him to reach it. When calling about all this was told " We are understaff", and hung up on. Their staff did not wear their mask correct or at all. No hand washing of any kind. Ever day had to call and wait till they decide to open currents and window so we could talk to him. Family and myself try to talk to someone. But was always told not there or we are understaff. On Oct 14 got a call. Telling his was to be moved. By then his could not sit up by his self. But they were going to put him on a bus. Oct 15 2020 Had to discharge him for FNH Hospice over fax's. I called the VA for help. They know nothing of the outbreak of Civid-19. VA moved my father and all the rest of the Vet's out. And set up new Hospice for us . When he got to new facility. He weight 135 pounds ,Was told had 5 Bedsore's. Large one on his butt. my Family and I could not see him. On Nov 12 2020 my Father died of Aplastic Anemia. I was with him when he passed. I seen the Bedsore myself. I cried the 45 minutes home. Because I could do nothing to help he. Because they could not bothered to treat his Bedsore Correctly. Just used Magic butt ointment. They know he was anemic. Yes I have all his medical records from Walnut Acres and the other Facility and the Hospital. Have picture also of all this. Have IDPH report also. Would give 0 star . Yes I did File a complaint with IDPH. To this day ever time I look my Father Flag I cry. He severed over 20 years in the Army. Stephenson County Nursing Center at the time of my Father was admitted there was told We Love Our Vets. Not so.

Monica L.

This nursing home is unique to the area. It is the only place that accepts public aid pending patients which means it is truly the only place that can say they will care for everyone! Most of the staff has been there for a very long time and they are extremely good at what they do. It is a 5 star rated facility by the state and has been working on remodeling a lot of the rooms! I wouldn't send my loved ones anywhere else!

Jody A.

My cousin was in there for a very long time, the staff is extremely unqualified. She finally had to sign herself out AMA. SHE COULDN'T GET A DOCTOR OR SOCIAL WORKER TO HELP HER. This place has no business whatsoever taking care of human beings. Animals get treated better than the residents in this facility. I am outraged.

Heather A.

I was sent here by FHN for physical therapy after being in the hospital for 6 weeks with cellulitis and pneumonia and I couldn’t walk. I ended up signing myself out AMA after 24 hours of soiling myself because I had to wait forever for a bed pan and a rude CNA’ who didn’t want to do her job. Tammy was her name. I can’t even tell you how nasty she was to me about my weight, ignored my pleas for a bed pan then complained when she had to change my sheets. It was so miserable.

Kim G.

My father was on hospice when I took him to Stephenson Nursing Center. He was so weak, he could not stand on his own so I had no choice. I found the floor nurses to be very kind and helpful and seemingly very concerned that my dad received the care he needed. However, the CNA's seemed to feel that since he was a "hospice" patient and not a permanent resident of the center, he was not their responsibility. Basically, they only came to the room when I went to get them because he needed something. He was only there 3 days; he passed away on the 4th morning. During the time that he was there, the CNA's did not change him (his undergarments) except when I tracked them down to do so. During the night, he was rarely checked on. In the morning, the nurse would come in at 6:00 am or so to give him medication but the CNA's never returned until about 9:30-9:45 am to check on him. Unfortunately, this is what happened the morning he passed. When I arrived in the morning about 9:50 am, I waited outside the door because I could hear the staff in his room so I thought they were changing him and I didn't want to embarass him by just walking in. As I stood there, one CNA came busting out of his room (she knew me and who I was) didn't make eye contact or say a word. Another minute went by, and a nurse came out of the room and did the same time. I stopped her to find out what was going on and she informed me she had to call hospice. I asked why and she said that my dad had only taken two breaths in the last minute. But she needed to go call hospice. They knew I was standing in the hallway while my father was dying and they did nothing to make sure I was able to be with him before he passed. There is no excuse in the world for this to happen. I am heartbroken and this facility has not even reached out to me to apologize or try to explain. I wouldn't put my worst enemy in this facility. There are no words for my experience.