Cedarwood Health Care Ctr

Pros

• The facility provides the best possible care, with a top-tier physical therapy team that guides residents toward independence.
• Janice Lawson is praised as a great administrator who stays in contact and ensures families are cared for.
• The staff are caring, professional, and work together to place residents' needs first in a friendly environment.
• The facility is consistently clean and has undergone upgrades that improve residents' living conditions.
• New administration has brought positive changes, including more staff and a refreshed building, benefiting residents.
• Continued improvements and a patient-first approach are hallmarks of the center.
• The care team (CNAs, nurses, housekeepers, and administrators) is described as awesome and dedicated.
• The facility comes highly recommended by reviewers for its quality of care and welcoming atmosphere.
• The environment is friendly, safe, and conducive to residents' well-being.
• The center has helped residents regain independence and, in some cases, return home.

Cons

• The reviewer says the facility is unprofessional and rude for not returning calls about admissions.
• The reviewer alleges that many nursing facilities only care about money and not the residents.
• A commenter questions the authenticity of the five-star reviews, claiming the place is dirty.
• One comment notes that the facility was a mess before the new management and improvements.

Review

Decatur Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Decatur, Illinois, is a facility that elicits a wide spectrum of experiences from residents, families, and visitors. Taken together, the reviews illustrate a facility in the midst of change - a place where concerns about communication and consistency can coexist with praise for compassionate staff, strong leadership, and meaningful rehab outcomes. Several accounts begin with frustration: a promise to call back about a loved one's status that never arrives, and a worry that if simple updates can be so hard to deliver, more serious issues could go unchecked. One commenter describes waiting for a week without a response, underscoring how important timely communication is to families during vulnerable times. The sentiment runs through multiple voices: reliable communication and dependable follow-through matter as much as the care itself.

Yet the tone shifts when people speak from direct experience with the care and rehabilitation offered at the center. A number of reviewers recount receiving attentive, professional treatment that helped them regain independence. One former patient says they received "the best care," with staff and the administrator working together to help them return home. They highlight the role of the physical therapy team, praising a therapist who supported them on the path to independence and gratitude for having the resources needed to function well after discharge. In these accounts, the facility's ability to support a transition back to daily life and self-sufficiency stands out as a defining strength.

A recurring thread across many entries is the impact of new leadership and ongoing improvements. The facility has welcomed new administration, most notably Janice Lawson, who is consistently praised as a dedicated and responsive administrator. Several reviews explicitly credit Janice with establishing open lines of communication and ensuring that families feel taken care of. Expressions like "New Administrator with New Changes to the building and staff" and "I love Janice Lawson she is a great administrator and is always in contact" appear multiple times, signaling a strong positive resonance with the leadership team. The broader message is that new management has brought structure, accountability, and a more cohesive approach to resident care.

Alongside leadership, reviewers repeatedly remark on the physical environment and operational upgrades. Descriptions of a nicely upgraded, clean facility with a protective, home-like atmosphere appear often. Post-upgrade observations include mentions of a facelift to the building, new plans and goals across departments, and the addition of staff to better serve residents. Comments such as "Nicely upgraded, clean and has friendly professional staff" and "There have been so many positive changes here" reflect a tangible sense of progress. Several reviewers also note the facility's commitment to safety and health, including a covid clinic held on site to keep residents healthier, highlighting proactive measures alongside the physical renovations.

The care philosophy at Decatur Rehabilitation is repeatedly framed around the residents' well-being. Multiple entries emphasize that the staff are compassionate, professional, and genuinely focused on the safety and wellness of those they serve. Phrases like "the staff here take excellent care of their patients" and "the lives changed and second chances given are remarkable" illustrate a deep appreciation for the dedication of caregivers. Several accounts describe experiences where residents and families felt seen and valued, with staff going beyond routine care to support meaningful outcomes and improved quality of life. In many of these testimonials, the emphasis remains on people - patients, families, and staff - working together toward recovery and stability.

Of course, not every voice is entirely uncritical. One post voices a strong caution about the authenticity of the surge in five-star reviews, suggesting a suspicion of inflated ratings and calling out a perceived discrepancy between the praise and the observed realities in some corners of the facility. That perspective serves as a reminder that, while many encounters described in these reviews are glowing, there are also concerns about transparency and consistency that prospective residents and families may want to consider as they evaluate care options. It's a counterpoint that reinforces the notion that positive change can coexist with ongoing scrutiny and the need for steady, reliable communication.

Taken as a whole, the collection of reviews paints a picture of a facility evolving under new leadership, with a clear emphasis on patient-first care, strong professional standards, and visible improvements to the environment and operations. Residents and families frequently commend the administrator and the care teams for their responsiveness, compassion, and dedication to helping people regain independence. The presence of a proactive medical and support staff, combined with a renovated facility and enhanced communication efforts, contributes to a sense of renewed confidence among many reviewers. For families seeking a place that prioritizes care and continuous improvement, Decatur Rehabilitation & Health Care Center appears to offer a compelling option - with the caveat that clear, timely updates and consistent follow-through remain crucial for trust and satisfaction.

This area of Decatur, Illinois offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to reside in the neighborhood. With several parks nearby such as Fairview Park and Rock Springs Center, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and leisurely strolls. There are also various dining options including First Wok, Tuscany Steak and Pasta House, and Bourbon Barrel Bar & Grill for those who prefer dining out. Medical facilities such as DMH Express Care and South Shores Medical Center are easily accessible for healthcare needs. Places of worship like Christ United Methodist Church and St James Catholic Church provide spiritual support, while pharmacies like CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens are conveniently located for medication needs. Public transportation options like the Decatur Public Transit Center make it easy for seniors to get around the area. Overall, this part of Decatur offers a well-rounded living environment with essential services within close proximity for senior residents.

Parks

• Fairview Park (1 miles)
• Rock Springs Center (1.5 miles)
• Central Park (2.5 miles)
• Monroe Park (2.5 miles)

Restaurants

• First Wok (1.1 miles)
• Door 4 Brewing Co. (1.4 miles)
• Tuscany Steak and Pasta House (1.5 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Bourbon Barrel Bar & Grill (1.7 miles)
• Friendly Bar & Package (1.8 miles)
• Biggen's Bar And Billiards (1.8 miles)

Physicians

• DMH Express Care (1.1 miles)
• Wellness Center - Millikin University (1.2 miles)
• Millikin Clinic (1.2 miles)
• DMH Rock Springs Medical Center (1.5 miles)
• South Shores Medical Center (2.5 miles)
• Memorial Specialty Care Kidney Clinic (2.6 miles)
• Rominger Darin MD (2.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Christ United Methodist Church (1.2 miles)
• Church Of The Living God (1.6 miles)
• Fair Havens Christian Home (2 miles)
• House of Miracles (2.3 miles)
• Salem Baptist Church (2.4 miles)
• St Thomas Church (2.6 miles)
• St James Catholic Church (2.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Genoa Healthcare (2.4 miles)
• Illini Pharmacy Services (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Dale's Southlake Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Meda Pharmaceuticals (2.8 miles)

Cafes

• Marquis Beverage (1.3 miles)
• Peet's Coffee and Tea (3.5 miles)

Transportation

• D R Roberts Photography (2.3 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (2.4 miles)
• Decatur Public Transit Center (2.6 miles)
• Train (2.7 miles)
• WABIC Junction (2.9 miles)
• Canadian National Railroad (3.1 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (3.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Davita Healthcare Partners (2.5 miles)
• Heartland Health Care Center-Decatur (2.6 miles)
• DMH Find-A-Doctor (2.7 miles)
• Matthews Beverly PsyD (2.7 miles)
• Prime Time (2.7 miles)