10 Best Nursing Homes in Springfield, IL

Seniors can pay for care through many options. In fact, many seniors and their families rely on a combination of both private and public sources. We’ve included information and local resources to help you understand the payment methods available for nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) licenses nursing homes in the state. Along with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the IDPH ensures that nursing homes that accept Medicare and Medicaid as payment options meet federal regulations and certification rules.^[10]

Nursing homes must meet certain regulations and requirements to maintain their license. These include but aren’t limited to:^[11]

• Screening potential new residents to assess their need for skilled nursing services before being admitted
• Establishing a clear policy for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and “do not resuscitate” orders
• Providing residents who don’t have a guardian or medical power of attorney the opportunity to provide information for potential health care surrogates (or decline to do so) within 30 days of moving in
• Conducting medical treatment discreetly to help ensure residents’ privacy
• Providing 3.8 hours of personal care and nursing assistance for residents identified as needing skilled care, and 2.5 hours for residents who need an intermediate amount of care
• Ensuring that married residents are allowed to live in the same room unless there isn’t room available or the resident’s doctor doesn’t recommend it

The IDPH conducts regular licensure inspections, or surveys, of nursing homes every six to 15 months. These surveys usually take three to four days, during which time the IDPH looks at the following areas:^[10]

• Access to care
• Rights of the residents
• Care plans and health assessments
• Available health care services
• Dietary and nutrition services
• Staffing
• Housekeeping and community maintenance
• Activities for residents
• Observations of care provided
• Interviews with residents, families, and staff
• Medical records

Inspections aren’t scheduled, so facilities don’t have a chance to prepare for them. Nursing homes with many or frequent complaints are inspected more often.^[10] Springfield seniors can check recent nursing home violations by visiting the IDPH’s quarterly reports of nursing home violators.

You can view results of all nursing home inspections on Medicare’s nursing home compare tool. Typing in your ZIP code or city will show the nursing homes nearest you and their star rating. You can also search by facility name.

Regulations for other senior living communities

Assisted living

The IDPH also regulates assisted living communities, which are licensed as either Assisted Living Establishments or Shared Housing Establishments. Assisted living communities aren’t able to provide the same level of care as a nursing home does, as they don’t offer the advanced medical care available at skilled nursing facilities.

To help ensure that new residents can live comfortably in an assisted living community, they receive a comprehensive care assessment. After an initial assessment, annual assessments are conducted to help ensure that each resident’s care needs don’t exceed what the community can provide.^[12] For more information, visit our comprehensive guide to assisted living in Springfield.

Memory care

Some assisted living communities in Springfield are licensed to provide memory care. These communities must meet additional requirements, especially for the staff. The community administrator and all of the direct care staff must complete dementia care training and receiving continuing education to provide care that meets best practice requirements.^[12]

Illinois Department of Public Health contact information

Illinois Department of Public Health website

Springfield Headquarters Office

525-535 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62761

Phone: 217-782-4977

COVID-19 regulations for Springfield nursing homes

Illinois doesn’t currently have regulations for assisted living communities regarding COVID-19. It does require assisted living communities to report outbreaks, however. Communities must report COVID-19 cases if they have one confirmed case and other residents with similar symptoms.^[13]

Nursing homes in Springfield do need to adhere to Illinois’ COVID regulations. You can find full COVID-19 guidelines for nursing homes on the IDPH’s long-term care facilities guidance page. In some cases, such as with masking policies, nursing homes may have their own guidance for visitors that will need to be followed.^[14]

Springfield offers a unique history as the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Residents can enjoy the historical sites and the atmosphere of a small town while taking advantage of many of the amenities you’d find in a large city.

Below you’ll find detailed information on what to expect from nursing homes in the area and how they compare to your other senior care options.

Nursing homes offer a high level of care

A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with skilled nursing facilities, which offer the highest level of care to seniors. Nursing homes are the best fit for seniors with serious or chronic medical conditions that require 24/7 medical oversight. Skilled nursing facilities provide:

• Short-term rehabilitative services
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapies
• Full medication management and injection administration
• Social activities within the community
• Shared rooms
• On-site palliative and hospice care

Many seniors who need some daily assistance don’t require nursing care and can live quite comfortably in an assisted living or memory care community.

Assisted living and memory care in Springfield

Seniors who would benefit from support with activities of daily living but don’t require 24/7 medical care would likely find a good fit in assisted living or memory care facilities. Our partner communities don’t offer on-site skilled nursing, but they do provide some advanced care services.

The majority of our partner assisted living and memory communities in Springfield provide the following:

• Assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing
• Medication reminders
• Transportation
• Community maintenance and housekeeping
• Activities (parties, picnics, cooking classes, devotional activities, live performances, and more)
• Amenities (libraries, game rooms, TV lounges, pianos, and more)

Many communities do also provide more advanced care services. These include:

• On-site nursing care
• Visiting nurse
• Diabetic care
• On-site hospice care
• Incontinence care
• Full medication management

Seniors experiencing Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia can especially benefit from living in a memory care community. Of our partner assisted living communities, 29% offer memory care on-site. We also have one stand-alone memory care community in our Springfield network. Caregivers in memory care communities receive specialized and ongoing training to care for seniors with dementia.

Springfield brings a small-town feel to its population of more than 110,000. While Springfield’s assisted living and memory care communities don’t offer luxe amenities, they’re up to date without being flashy. The majority of our partner communities are pet friendly and offer a robust selection of activities coordinated by an activities director. Seniors can expect a focus on cultivating a sense of community through parties, karaoke, and picnics. Many facilities offer special interest clubs, opportunities for education, day trips, and live performances.

Health care for seniors in Springfield

Springfield has two hospitals within the city. Both are located in the heart of downtown Springfield with networks for outpatient services. Springfield is also home to Southern Illinois University Medicine, a multi-specialty physician group. We’ve included details for these hospitals below.

Transportation for seniors in Springfield

All of our partner assisted living and memory care communities offer transportation to residents. Of those communities, 75% provide complimentary transportation, and 25% offer transportation at cost.^[02] This can be not only helpful and convenient to senior residents, but also safer. For seniors with memory loss, it’s especially beneficial to have transportation options they can trust. Drivers are aware of the needs that their senior passengers have and can offer necessary assistance.

Overall, Springfield is largely a car-dependent city. There are some walkable areas, particularly in downtown Springfield. Visiting family members without a car may be able to use Sangamon Mass Transit District (SMTD). Should seniors over 65 need to use this service, they’re eligible for a reduced fare ID, which allows them to travel for half price. SMTD’s Access Sangamon provides alternative transportation for riders who can’t easily use a fixed-route bus service.

Senior activities in Springfield

Historical attractions abound in Springfield, with many sites honoring our 16^th president, Abraham Lincoln. But Lincolnland offers much more than its history. There’s a wide range of activities that appeal to seniors, whether your loved one enjoys the arts or the outdoors. We’ve outlined several of the most popular options below. You’ll find that the majority of these provide accessibility options so that everyone can enjoy them.

• Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center. This free attraction offers tranquil views of Lake Springfield along with several gardens and nature trails. It’s easy for everyone to enjoy nature with many spots to sit and rest. The Center also features an accessible trail loop.
• Illinois State Museum (ISM) — Springfield. The ISM presents several permanent exhibits, including “At Home in the Heartland,” which shows visitors with how Illinois has changed over the past 300 years. The museum offers free admission and wheelchairs visitors can use.
• The Legacy Theatre. For entertainment, the Legacy Theatre can’t be beat. Throughout the year they host live performances, concerts, and movie screenings with films from the early 20^th century, as well as contemporary films. The Legacy’s equipped with several accessible areas throughout the building.
• Lincoln Home. Seniors can take a free tour of President Lincoln’s home, which is wheelchair accessible. Park Service rangers guide the tour groups, and large groups can attend when they reserve a tour ahead of time.
• Springfield Art Association. Seniors and their family members can enjoy both art and history here. It hosts rotating gallery exhibits as well as art classes for visitors who love to create.