Welcome

Rock River Gardens is a 70-bed intermediate care facility for persons effected by mental illness. On behalf of the residents and staff, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you and your loved one. The staff of Rock River Gardens strives for excellence in attaining each resident’s individual needs and goals to reach their highest level of independence. Through hard work, dedication and the loyalty of a fantastic team, Rock River Gardens has earned a 5-star rating. We are all proud of this accomplishment and strive to keep our facility’s services at the top of its class.

Our main objective is to provide excellent nursing care. We have a very dedicated and caring nursing staff to meet your needs. We also offer an exciting activity program and highly qualified social service department to provide for overall well-being. We strongly encourage family involvement with our residents at any time.

Thank you for the opportunity to care for you or your loved ones. If at any time you would like to offer suggestions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me at (815) 626-0233.  I would like to thank you for choosing Rock River Gardens.

3601 Sixteenth Avenue
Sterling, IL 61081
P. (815) 626-0233
F. (815) 626-6121

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Rock River Gardens
4.2
Based on 46 reviews
Great place with such friendly staff!
PatriotWI
PatriotWI
I have had the pleasure of being employed here for 10 years and I hope I have another 10 years to come.
Bryan R.
Bryan R.
Great staff, very welcoming, feels like a family.
Charles C.
Charles C.
Friendly and clean environment to work in. Employees and managers willing to help and work well as a team.
Lily H.
Lily H.
I’ve worked here for almost two years. It’s a great facility. The residents and staff are kind and friendly. I love working here.
Alivya R.
Alivya R.
We strive everyday to be better than the day before. We have an amazing team who is willing to jump into other departments just to ensure the residents get the care they deserve. We would not have come as far as we have if it wasn't for the amazing staff we have who treat the residents like family. I love my job and the strong caring people i work with and the company I work for.
Nikaela R.
Nikaela R.
I have been with Petersen Health Care for 10 years. I highly respect my team mates. The IDT here works excellent together to provide the best care possible for all our residents. My goal is to continue working here until my retirement and maybe part time there after. Caring for the residents here at Rock River Gardens is a very rewarding experience.
Laurie F.
Laurie F.
Such great atmosphere and management that go head over heels for residents as far as it comes activities, psychosocial groups, extended services once rehabbed back into the community, and communication with families and friends (with releases of information). The staff will make sure the residents needs are fully taken care for and not overlooked before staff worried about their own families.
Kiarra H.
Kiarra H.
Second time working in this facility and I love the people I work with we all learn to work as a team have been with the company for almost 9 years
Jayna R.
Jayna R.
Good place to work at.
Lacey R.
Lacey R.
Absolutely love my job here. The management teams works very well together! I really enjoy coming to work and interacting with the residents.
Michele M.
Michele M.
Wonderful staff!
Carrie R
Carrie R
Everyday is a new experience and lots to be learned. Helpful staff members in all departments. Great group of residents here!
Gina P.
Gina P.
Wonderful place to work
Reilly C.
Reilly C.
I have been been working for Rock River Gardens for 5 years going on 6. I have enjoyed my time being here. Great staff and great team that treat our residents good.
k H.
k H.
Great place to work!!!
Lamar L.
Lamar L.
😊
Athziri Q.
Athziri Q.
Great environment to work in!! The residents are lovely :)
Ariah M.
Ariah M.
Happy to call RRG my second home! We as a team make sure our residents get the best care they deserve!
Karina C.
Karina C.
Great place to be! Positive energy and helpful staff members! :)
Dark P.
Dark P.
Great staff that works like a family to make sure the residents are cared for in the best manner possible.
Charles C.
Charles C.
Caring staff
Kristy A.
Kristy A.
Ive been with Petersen Health Care for 13 years beginning as a CNA and have had great coworkers to help me move up into managment and now am the Business Office Manager here at Rock River Gardens and have enjoyed every minute here helping our residents get themselves back to full capabilities. I also have greatly enjoyed the team I work with as we all help one another out and cross train for all departments so no one is left behind. Great place to work!
Kalen K.
Kalen K.
Great facility!
Tia R.
Tia R.
My son has been here for over 10 years now. When he first came, his illness was in control of him. Thanks to the loving and professional care of the staff at the 'Rock', my son is now in control of his illness. I have my son back. My son and I don't know what we would do without the Rock.
Bettie S.
Bettie S.
I have been here for just under two months and, out of all the jobs I have had throughout my, this facility, my coworkers and the residents have been more welcoming than any other job. Staff are a team and a family when it comes to work,, coworkers and residents. Staff, from day one, has done everything to help guide me as a transition into the position. The administrator has been very good to me, helped guide me and gave advice and constructive criticism that has been extremely helpful. Residents have been helpful as well. I am looking forward to spending a long time working with Rock River Gardens and being a part of journey with residents and staff.
Melissa H.
Melissa H.
Love working here staff and residents are awesome
Carrah C.
Carrah C.
Caring staff, clean facility, and great meal plans for the residents!
Misti P.
Misti P.
Wonderful atmosphere! Everyone was very welcoming! Great place and great staff!
Katie P.
Katie P.
overall great facility to work at! i’ve worked here for almost 6 months and i’ve been treated with nothing but respect and support, the love from my fellow coworkers is something i’ll never forget
Jamielynn P.
Jamielynn P.
This is the best place Ive worked in my 30 plus years of being a CNA. I work along side of great people. God willing I will be here till I retire.
Missy D.
Missy D.
Amazing staff!
Kalee M.
Kalee M.
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Social Services

The social services staff at Rock River Gardens continually monitors the psychological well being of each resident, and is there to help with coordination of services within the community, assistance with issues within the nursing home, and individual counseling sessions when needed. The social services department prepares care plans that address all of the resident’s behavioral goals and these goals are then monitored and tracked for progress.

Residents have access to a variety of activities that are supported by our in-house activities staff. These activities are designed to provide residents with the opportunity to utilize the interpersonal skills that are developed in therapeutic groups, including:

  • Crafts
  • Exercise
  • Outings to area parks & attractions
  • Games
  • Activities designed to maintain fine and gross motor skills
  • Seasonal decorations & celebrations

We strive to incorporate family goals and desires in our resident’s treatment plans. We promote family involvement, and encourage family visitation and outings. Our nursing staff will prepare medication kits for residents that go out on pass with their families for extended periods.

Residents that demonstrate the ability to operate safely in the community can obtain passes to leave the facility on their own to pursue individual goals.

Other Services

Our outstanding and experienced nursing staff addresses and monitors our resident’s medical and psychiatric needs.

This includes:

  • Assistance with daily living tasks
  • Medication administration and monitoring
  • Monitoring, coordination and planning of treatment regimen
  • Administering behavior management protocols

Additionally, we coordinate medical services with a variety of specialists including:

  • Physical Therapy
  • Podiatry
  • Vision
  • Dental
  • Dermatology
  • Internal Medicine

Psychiatric Care

Our on-staff psychiatrist visits at regular intervals with every one of our residents.

This offers the opportunity to obtain the optimum therapeutic medication dosages. We strive to get each resident as close as possible to a remission of symptoms, with a minimum of unwanted side effects.

Additionally, we feature the following in-house group programming:

  • MedEx medication management and mental health awareness
  • Skills training groups that include money management, medication management, relapse prevention, coping and interpersonal skills, and vocational training.

Pathways Rehabilitation

Pathways offers a full rehab experience for a wide variety of adults with need for rehabilitation following a hospitalization after an injury, illness, or planned procedure. Our experienced and dedicated rehabilitation team, including therapists, nurses and social services professionals, work with individuals to return to a safe and independent level of function. Pathways professionals are equipped to meet the needs of most diagnostic situations, including:

  • Orthopedic
  • Neurological
  • Cardiac
  • Pulmonary
  • & Many Others
Learn More

What They’re Saying

I recently was a short-term resident at Polo Rehabilitation and Health Care following surgery. The staff was incredible and deserve special mention. I appreciated the service and, most of all, the friendship extended to me when I was a resident there. All the CNAs tended to my needs. Their gentle and kind attention was exceptional; I am sure it sped my recovery. Those who prepared and served my meals also played a big role. The food was excellent and the cheery smiles of the servers brightened the sometimes stressful days. The Pathways therapists pushed me to stretch those stiff muscles.

I am sure that I would not be doing as well as I am – and be back in my own apartment — without them. Those who made it possible for me to get to my doctor appointments aided tremendously. It was definitely easier for me in the Polo Rehab van than in a car. You gentlemen are true gentle-men. I truly feel that the Polo Rehabilitation and Health Care facility is one of the best available in this area. I cannot thank all the staff enough. It is top notch nursing care.

Successful Therapy Patient

Petersen Health Care was an absolute answer to prayers for our family as we sought the proper facility for our Aunt. The facilities are very home-like, and the care and love given to the residents by the staff is exceptional. I would recommend Petersen Health Care to anyone looking for a home for their loved one with dementia.

Family Member

Everyone from housekeeping to the nursing staff is wonderful. I know that my mom is in the hands of wonderful, caring people. When she came there 2 years ago, I wasn’t sure I was doing the right thing, but you have proven over and over again that it was the best thing for her that I could have ever done when I could no longer meet her needs myself. Thank you for taking such good care of my mom

Family Member of a Resident

Well, this was the best decision I could have made for Mom. Every staff person listened to me as though my concerns were their only concerns. They took into consideration all of Mom’s individual needs, even her personal preferences that were not within the normal protocols of the nursing home. They really listened when I talked. They kept me informed. They respected her wishes, through me, since she could no longer express herself.

Family Member

The time has come to leave the beautiful people in this place. Having been here before, I was impressed with the new therapy department. Occupational Therapy has helped me learn new ways to put on my shoes and socks and I can do it by myself. Physical Therapy has helped to strengthen my legs and get me back to walking again. If I need therapy again, I will definately come here!

Successful Therapy Patient

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