SBL Opens Willow Breeze Hospice House

Willow Breeze Hospice House. Photo: Sarah Bush Lincoln

For Immediate Release – January 9, 2023

Willow Breeze, the Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice House, opened Jan. 4.

Willow Breeze is located at 10660 County Road 800 N, Mattoon on the northside of the Health Center’s main campus. It is licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Coles County Public Health and The Joint Commission.

Willow Breeze features eight private suites for people of all ages who are facing end-of-life difficulties. Each suite has a private bathroom and walk-out patio that overlooks the landscaped pond. Hospice embraces family and friends as an integral part of the care team.

Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice Director Jenn Roberts explained, “We are pleased to open Willow Breeze following 18 months of construction. We believe our patients and their loved ones will enjoy the tranquility of the entire home.”

There are three reasons people may be admitted to Willow Breeze. They include general inpatient care, respite care and residential care. The length of stay is determined by the medical condition, which is reviewed daily by the medical director.

People with GIP (General Inpatient Care) status require frequent medical and nursing care, managing complex symptoms such as pain crisis, nausea, extreme agitation, etc. To qualify for GIP care at SBL Willow Breeze, a person should meet at least one of the following:

Severe pain or symptoms that require frequent medication adjustment and monitoring
Severe nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Wound care requiring frequent treatment or dressing changes
Unmanageable respiratory distress
Agitation requiring medication change
Seizures – uncontrolled, requiring observation/medication titration
Respiratory distress
Cardiac failure requiring frequent medication administration
Bleeding – uncontrolled

Respite Care is a level of care that is provided under the Medicare Hospice benefit that gives a primary caregiver or family members a restful break while their loved one stays up to five days at Willow Breeze.

Residential Care is for those at end of life who are unable to stay at home because they don’t have a primary caregiver at home or the caregiver is unable to care for their loved one alone and requires additional help.

Other amenities at Willow Breeze include family quiet rooms that accommodate overnight guests, a family communal kitchen and coffee bar, library and work space, chapel, activity room, a communal covered patio to enjoy the outdoors and a walking path partially around the pond. Loved ones may visit 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “We encourage loved ones to spend quality time by our patient’s side, creating cherished memories and ensuring your comfort. Our communal spaces are designed to foster togetherness and provide space for support and reflection,” Roberts added.

The Willow Breeze team of experienced and compassionate professionals is dedicated to providing comprehensive hospice care. It collaborates closely with physicians, nurses, counselors and volunteers to ensure that each individual’s unique needs and wishes are met. The team consists of hospice nursing staff, medical director, hospice aides, social workers, bereavement counselor, spiritual counselor and volunteers.

Hospice care offers personalized attention tailored to personal preferences and cultural beliefs. “Our staff encourages our patients to share their life stories, hobbies and interests so we can create moments of joy and meaning. We work together to provide a holistic approach to address all aspects of well-being,” Roberts said.

For more information about SBL Hospice or Willow Breeze, call 800-454-4055.