Transitional Care
When your child is medically stable enough to leave the hospital, but you and your family need more time to make preparations for their return home, we’re here with a fully medically equipped home.
Learn About Transitional CareWelcome to Almost Home Kids
At Almost Home Kids, you’ll find a welcoming home where your child can get expert transitional and respite medical care while you gain the confidence and training needed to bring them home.
Our family of dedicated caregivers know firsthand the challenges you face caring for a child with complex medical needs. We’ll take care of everything, so you can focus on your family and your child can focus on just being a kid.
What to Expect for Your Stay with Us
Almost Home Kids offers a nurturing, home-like setting with 24/7 medical and nursing care, fun and engaging activities and family-friendly spaces where you can visit and stay involved. Our compassionate team gets to know your child’s unique needs, likes and dislikes, so their care is seamless.
Your child will have a private, customizable bedroom designed for their comfort and fully equipped with everything needed for their medical care.
During your child’s stay, you and your family will receive hands-on training to ensure that you’re ready and confident to care for your child at home.
Meet Your Care Team
Your child’s care team includes experienced pediatric nurses, therapists, child life specialists, nutritionists and care coordinators dedicated to your child’s health and well-being.
Who We Serve at Our Home
Almost Home Kids welcomes children from newborn to age 22 who have medical complexities and require transitional or respite care. Often, they are dependent on medical technology such as ventilators, tracheostomy tubes, G-tubes, central lines or oxygen.
Almost Home Kids serves children with over 400 different diagnoses, including:
- Cancer
- Cardiac anomalies
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chromosomal disorders
- Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome
- Gastric anomalies – Short Gut Syndrome
- Metabolic disorders
- Neonatal withdrawal syndrome
- Neuromuscular disease
- Palliative care
- Premature birth
- Spina Bifida
- Spinal muscular atrophy
- Traumatic brain and spinal cord injury
Care Services We Provide
Almost Home Kids is a bridge from hospital to home. Available for children up to age 22, we provide a warm, home-like setting for transitional care after a hospital stay or short-term respite care when you need support. We provide a range of services to accommodate your child and family. In addition to transitional and respite care, we also offer therapies and support services.
Nutrition Consultations
You know your child best, so our nutrition specialists work with you to create a customized nutrition plan tailored to your child’s unique needs.
Therapies for Your Child
We integrate a range of therapies in your child’s routine care, including occupational, physical and speech therapies.
Foster Care & Adoption
If your child is in foster care or part of an adoption plan, our team can provide specialized support to help ensure a smooth transition.
How You Can Help
Almost Home Kids is funded entirely by generous community donations to provide high-quality care and a nurturing environment for children and families. Whether you want to donate time as a volunteer or provide financial support, your generosity makes a huge difference.
Volunteer
Giving your time and talents by reading to and playing with kids or doing administrative tasks makes a huge difference in the lives of families and children.
See the Virtual Home Tour
Explore the caring, home-like environment of Almost Home Kids in Peoria, Illinois. From the peaceful outdoor area to the fully equipped rooms, your child is welcome here for transitional and respite care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your nurse-to-patient ratio?
With 12 rooms available to children, we maintain a low nurse-to-patient ratio with a maximum of four patients per nurse.
Can I cook my food here?
Families have access to a communal kitchen equipped with refrigerators and microwaves. There are also plenty of spaces to eat, both inside and out, in the community areas. So you can eat and gather around the table with your family or other families!
What if my child needs something and no one is in the room?
Our nursing staff is available 24/7.
How long can my child stay here?
For transitional care, our goal is to get your child home in 120 days. Children thrive where they’re most comfortable and surrounded by their loved ones and personal belongings. The goal is to be a stepping stone to get your child medically stable and comfortably home as soon as possible.
For respite care, your child can stay for up to 14 days per year. This gives you and your family time to rest, time to go on an extended vacation or time to deal with family emergencies.
Can caregivers sleep over?
Yes, caregivers are permitted to stay overnight at Almost Home Kids, with one caregiver allowed at a time. Your request for overnight stays will be reviewed by our leadership team. To ensure a safe environment within the house, caregivers must sign an agreement outlining safety guidelines and expectations.
Can caregivers call overnight?
Absolutely! Our staff is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide updates when your child is staying with us.
Contact Us to Learn More
Receive compassionate transitional and respite care for your child. If you have any questions or want to learn more, contact us at Almost Home Kids.
Referral Form
In the spirit of Christ and the example of Francis of Assisi, the Mission of OSF HealthCare is to serve persons with the greatest care and love in a community that celebrates the Gift of Life.