Cedarwood Health Care Ctr in Decatur, IL

Pros

• They received the best care at the facility, with staff and administration working together to help them recover and return home.
• The facility offers top-notch therapy and clearly aims for independence, with a standout physical therapy program.
• There is new management and an awesome staff driving positive changes throughout the building.
• Janice Lawson is praised as a great administrator who stays in contact and ensures families are cared for.
• The facility is clean, well-maintained, and safe, with professional and caring staff.
• The staff are wonderful, attentive, and dedicated to the safety and wellness of residents.
• The environment is friendly and collaborative, with teamwork that puts residents first.
• The therapy department is amazing and helps residents achieve meaningful independence.
• The administration and care workers are excellent, and many residents' lives have been positively transformed.

Cons

• The reviewer does not recommend the facility because it can't keep promises to call back or inform whether a loved one has been accepted, calling it unprofessional and nearly rude.
• They waited a week for a callback with no contact at all.
• They believe many nursing facilities care more about money than about the loved ones' level of care.
• They describe a staff member as unbelievably rude and say they hung up the phone.
• They claim negligence led to their mother's death, citing unsafe feeding decisions and delayed communication.
• They felt the physical therapist was impatient and did not listen, rushing through the appointment.
• They describe rude nurses and staff and question whether the facility would be suitable for their loved ones.
• They state that since restructuring, the facility has gone to hell.

Review

Cedarwood Health Care Center in Decatur is best suited for families prioritizing a focused rehabilitation pathway in a small, home-like setting where leadership is demonstrably driving meaningful upgrades. It attracts seniors who want a clear route back to independence through strong therapy, coordinated care, and a facility atmosphere that feels personal rather than institutional. When rehab is the primary goal - rather than long-term, highly specialized memory care or end-of-life nuances - the community's recent renovations, visible staff cohesion, and an administration openly devoted to improvement make it a compelling option.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are clear: if prompt, reliable communication is non-negotiable, this is a critical criterion to test before committing. Several reviews highlight slow or inconsistent call-backs and moments of perceived staff rigidity or rudeness. Families with urgent questions or complex care plans may prefer a setting with an established track record of highly responsive family communication. Likewise, if there is a need for highly specialized memory care, palliative care, or a consistently uniform staffing approach across shifts, other facilities with a longer-standing, specialized focus may be a safer fit.

The core strengths center on leadership-driven improvements that appear to have transformed day-to-day life. A clean, upgraded environment, a small, teamwork-focused staff culture, and a therapy program that residents and families repeatedly praise combine to create real value. The new administration is repeatedly cited as the catalyst for better plans, more staff, and a more resident-first climate. When therapy goals are the priority, the facility's track record of progress and the emphasis on helping residents regain function often offset residual concerns about communication gaps, because results on mobility and independence are tangible and well-supported by attentive therapists.

Therapy and resident care emerge as decisive positives. The therapy department is frequently described as exceptional, with therapy that is patient, goal-oriented, and capable of delivering measurable gains toward independence. Administrators and frontline staff - especially those who have been highlighted by families - are praised for professional competence, reliability, and a willingness to collaborate with families. Cleanliness and a friendly, safe atmosphere reinforce trust, and the sense of a united team working toward resident welfare remains a consistent theme across many accounts. In short, for families seeking robust rehabilitation with a personal touch, the benefits here are concrete and persuasive.

Nevertheless, risks require careful weighing. Amid the many glowing endorsements, a few reviews raise red flags about communication failures and inconsistent staff interactions. A minority of accounts describe rude behavior, delayed responses, or distressing care lapses, including a stark warning about neglect or miscommunication with serious consequences. These outliers underscore the reality that changes in leadership and culture take time to stabilize. The best approach is to verify the current climate through direct conversations with the administrator, request recent performance data, and observe shifts in pace and tone during a tour and initial visits.

Ultimately, the decision hinges on what a family values most at this stage. Cedarwood stands out for rehab-focused care delivered in a refreshed, intimate setting with strong leadership and a determined drive to improve. For families willing to engage actively with administration, to monitor communication closely, and to confirm ongoing staffing stability, Cedarwood offers a compelling blend of progress, warmth, and clinical excellence. For those who cannot tolerate uncertain responsiveness or who require highly consistent, error-free communication, exploring alternatives remains the prudent course. A guided tour, candid questions about recent changes, and a concrete plan for oversight will reveal whether Cedarwood aligns with the resident's goals and the family's expectations.

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)