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Freeport nursing center reports admissions uptick and expansion plans to county board
Summary
Board heard a report that Freeport Nursing Center (operating as Serenity Homes/Serenity Estates of Lena) had 55 residents, six skilled-care residents, and 12 new admissions in November; staff described renovations, a CNA/LPN hiring incentive and a purchase of Lena Living Center to expand operations.
Stephenson County board members heard a report on the Freeport Nursing Center’s operations and local outreach, including staffing incentives and a pending facility acquisition.
The report, delivered on behalf of Monica (the facility administrator, not present at the meeting), said Monica has stepped into the administrator role and is scheduled to take the required exam in January. The facility’s census was reported at 55 residents, including six in skilled care, and staff said there were 12 new admissions in November.
Staff said the center has posted an enhanced hourly-rate incentive for CNAs and LPNs through the end of the year to attract local candidates and reduce reliance on agency staffing. Dietary staff, which reportedly were not county employees previously, are now fully staffed. Corporate leadership was described as supportive.
The center reported that remodeling on the north end of the building is complete and the front lobby has been updated. Staff also said the operator purchased Lena Living Center and will create "Serenity Estates of Lena" as part of an expansion in the community. Board members asked about recent administrative turnover (the administrator Janae recently left) and whether the union had responded to the operator’s offer; staff said the union response was still pending.
Board members were told the operator plans a community open house once renovations and other items are completed and that corporate will send a formal invitation to the county. No board action was taken; the item was informational and will be monitored in follow-up reports.
