BenGil Business
Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Gillespie nursing home
Alisa Loew, as administrator of the estate of her mother, Melvia Loew, is suing Heritage Enterprises for a judgment in excess of $50,000, alleging negligence, wrongful death, and violation of the state Nursing Home Act. According to the suit, Melvia Loew died July 11, 2016, at the age of 70 at Heritage Manor, Gillespie, after being admitted to the nursing facility earlier the same day.
Loew had been treated for a urinary tract infection from July 5, 2016, at St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield, under the care of Dr. Keith Cochran, the suit states. Though not named as defendants, both St. Francis Hospital and Dr. Cochran are named as respondents in discovery in connection with the lawsuit. The suit alleges Dr. Cochran released Lowe to be transferred to Heritage Manor on July 11 for physical and occupational therapy on the condition Heritage Manor could provide a special bed and oversized wheelchair for Loew’s use.
Before her death, Loew reportedly was five-feet, one-inch in height and weighed 336 pounds. Because of her size, she required a special bed and wheelchair, the suit alleges. The suit states that the plaintiff went to the nursing home about 6 p.m. on July 11 and found her mother “naked, angry, humiliated and in pain with her body hanging over both sides of the bed.”
Additionally, the suit alleges the plaintiff saw Loew’s food and food tray on the floor, along with her oxygen. The suit further alleges the call light was not within Loew’s reach, she had not been repositioned in more than five hours, she was soiled and a Hoyer sling remained under her. The suit claims Loew was soiled and that she had fresh bruises from her knee to her buttocks, as well as on her left arm, that were not present when she left the hospital.
Because she was placed in a bed too small for her size, the suit claims the side rails could not be raised, yet the nursing home staff did not place a sitter in the room to monitor Loew. Shortly before 10 p.m., according to the suit, the plaintiff received a phone call informing her that her mother had fallen out of bed and that EMTs were trying to resuscitate her. She died that evening, according to the suit.
The four-count lawsuit claims the defendant provided or administered negligent care, treatment, and improper equipment, causing Loew’s death.
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BenGil Business
Gillespie nursing home changes ownership, renamed to Gillespie Health & Rehab Center
Heritage Health Gillespie announces it has changed ownership. Renamed Gillespie Health & Rehab Center, the 100-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility provides a broad spectrum of care, including long- and short-term care and rehabilitation, in an intimate and compassionate environment.
The new ownership team is a group of individuals who are skilled nursing facility managers and operators based in Illinois. The ownership change was effective July 1, 2023, and Heritage Health was the seller.
“In these challenging times, it is very reassuring that our new ownership team has years of know-how, shared values and a great group of experienced experts – based right here in Illinois – to support our care team,” said Kim Schardan, the facility’s CEO/administrator.
Gillespie Health & Rehab Center, at 7588 Staunton Rd., in Gillespie, Ill., will benefit from the hands-on attention that comes from a smaller, but very skilled “non-corporate” ownership and management team. The team has overseen operations at similar-sized care centers, in rural and suburban communities in Illinois and the Midwest, and brings many new ideas that have been very successful at other facilities.
“Our new owners view Gillespie Health & Rehab Center as a world of family and friends,” said Schardan. “They share core principles and standards that reflect the people and beliefs of our region: Genuine Hometown Care, Community Integration, and Employees are Family.”
Gillespie Health & Rehab Center is known for its focus on providing hometown care with a commitment to fully integrating with the healthcare needs of the Gillespie, Ill., community. As it continues to grow, the center will benefit from working with a skilled, hands-on regional ownership team.
“The ownership group has significant experience in overseeing operations at similar-sized care centers in rural and suburban communities,” Schardan noted. “We anticipate incorporating new ideas that have been successful at their other facilities as we work to advance our mission of excellence in care.”
About Gillespie Health & Rehab Center
Gillespie Health & Rehab Center is a 100-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility in Gillespie, Ill., and offers long-term care, short-term care, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehab-to-home, speech therapy, hospice care, and respite care. The center is currently accepting new admissions for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. For further information, please contact (217) 839-2171 or visit the Gillespie Health & Rehab Center website at www.gillespiehrc.com.
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Enjoy a spring buffet at JoDanni’s Amore on Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. The buffet will include pork chops, chicken spiedini, house salad, garlic rolls, scalloped potato, pasta con broccoli, vegetable medley, drink, and key lime cupcake for dessert.
The price for a ticket is $25. Tickets must be purchased by Thursday, March 30.
For tickets, contact Catherine Young at 217-825-8488 or Mary Griffel at 217-556-5456. The meal is sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Gillespie.
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Great joy took place on Sunday, March 12, 2023, as members of the United Methodist Church of Gillespie witnessed and celebrated six young people being baptized and/or confirmed at the 10:30 a.m. church service.
The students professed their faith in Jesus and became members of the church.
The new members include Clayton Bethard, Izzy Manus, Lydia Lowry, Makenna Martin, Marshall Garwood, and Wyatt Rondi.
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