General FAQ
Habilitation is the lifelong improvement of a medical condition that will never dissipate or be cured. It is not the same as rehabilitation.
Here is an in-depth explanation of habilitative services (from the state of California):
Medically necessary healthcare services and devices that assist an individual in partially or fully acquiring or improving skills and functioning and that are necessary to address a health condition, to the maximum extent practical. These services address the skills and abilities needed to function in the individual’s environment.
Subacute care is skilled nursing care needed by a patient who does not require hospital care, but is more intensive than provided to most patients in a skilled nursing facility.
Pediatric subacute care is care given to medically fragile children in which medical technology, such as tracheotomy care and intravenous tube feeding, compensates for the loss of a vital bodily function.
The Mayo Clinic describes a tracheostomy as a surgically created hole through the front of the neck and into the windpipe or trachea. The surgical procedure to create this opening is called a tracheotomy.
A tracheostomy provides an air passage to help the patient breathe when the usual route for breathing is obstructed or impaired. A tracheostomy is often needed when health problems require the use of a ventilator to help the patient breathe.
All parents/guardians and family members are admitted through the electronically monitored door at the rear entrance. All parents/guardians and family members are requested to sign the Visitor’s Log Book. New visitors and families will be requested to show photo identification. All visitors are required to wear photo identification badges.
Parents & Family FAQ
Children’s Habilitation Center prides itself in the provision of total habilitative healthcare to children who require specialized treatment, skilled nursing care, and medical management.
CHC accepts residents and renders services without regard to race, color, or national origin.
A thorough and individualized review of each potential admission is completed by CHC’s dedicated and experienced Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), which is comprised of our:
CEO
Administrator
Medical Director and Pediatric Physician
Director of Nursing
Director of Respiratory Services
Director of Physical Therapy
Residential Services Director
Admissions/Discharge Coordinator
Our IDT assesses each of the following areas:
Age — CHC is a licensed Skilled Pediatric Facility
Ambulatory Status and Level of Cognitive Functioning
Behavioral Status and Discharge Potential
Medical Condition/Special Needs
Generally, our residents are in need of continuous medical supervision for chronic, complicated, and recurring medical conditions such as:
Ventilator Dependency
Severe Respiratory Conditions
Hyperalimentation
Uncontrolled Seizure Activity
Gastrostomy
Tracheostomy
Intravenous Therapy
Immune Deficiencies
For more information about our admissions requirements, or to schedule a tour of our facility and meet our dedicated team of professionals, please Contact Us.
CHC typically provides care to children ranging from newborns to those 6 years old. We have many residents that stay beyond 6 years old, and several who remain until adulthood.
CHC admits children for either short (6 months minimum) or long stays. The length of a child’s stay is dependent on the goals of treatment and the medical needs of the child.
CHC services are reimbursed through Medicaid or are self-pay.
We strongly feel our care is better! With unmatched experience, a super dedicated staff, CNAs in every room 24 hours a day, therapists, education and lots of love and social interaction, we believe our habilitation care is among the best in the nation.
No. Admission to CHC does not affect your parental rights or guardianship status. Our goal is to keep families together as much as possible during the time that your child is a resident here. As a parent or guardian, all major medical and educational decisions are subject to your approval. Interdisciplinary status meetings are available upon request.
CHC is certified by the Illinois State Board of Education as a private non-public school and provides education for children who are unable to attend Public School off-site. If your child is not medically stable, he or she may attend one of CHC’s classrooms and/or bedside teaching is provided as necessary. It is important to register your child in your local school district when he or she turns 3 years of age. If your child is not 3 years of age yet, he or she will attend our 0 to 3 (Early Childhood Program) educational program.
Yes. Many activities are available within Children’s Habilitation Center. Art therapy, plays, holiday celebrations, movies and family special events are some of the activities that make Children’s Habilitation Center a special place to be. In addition, with physician consent, children can participate in community field trips to local sites such as a fire station, parks, community fairs and the zoo in CHC’s specialized bus.
Parents are always welcome at CHC! In fact, many activities are planned specifically to encourage family participation. Parents and families can learn about these events through mailings, our website or by contacting your child’s designated case manager.
CHC offers comprehensive training in ventilator, tracheostomy, and G-Tube care. Healthcare Provider CPR is required prior to beginning training. Two caregivers must participate in training sessions. Caregiver Training must be completed prior to any home visit and prior to any discharge. If training occurred at another facility, return demonstrations are required. Contact the Staff Development Coordinator to schedule training appointments.
Upon admission, parents and guardians will be asked to inform CHC in writing who will be allowed to visit their child. Please sign in when you arrive and sign out when you depart. The Visitor’s Log Book is located at the first office upon entry or at the nurses’ station. Suggested visiting hours are between 10:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. seven days a week. If you are a working parent and it is impossible to visit during these hours, arrangements can be made in advance with the Director of Nursing. Brothers and sisters may also visit when they are accompanied by a parent. However, there are some visitation restrictions for children especially during flu seasons. Please check with the Charge Nurse and have your assigned case manager paged upon arrival. No visitors are allowed in patients’ rooms to ensure the privacy of other residents.