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WOODSTOCK, Ill. – McHenry County officials broke ground on a new memory care wing for Valley Hi Nursing & Rehabilitation, and presented nursing home staff with their recently earned national award for quality service.

After years of planning and multiple feasibility studies demonstrating the need for affordable and certified memory care in McHenry County, the Oct. 18 groundbreaking signaled the official start of the project becoming a reality.

 “Valley Hi has a long and distinguished history of providing care for McHenry County seniors, and we’ll be able to significantly expand that top-notch care with the addition of a memory care wing. This state-of-the art facility will meet the growing demand in McHenry County for senior memory care services,” County Board Chairman Mike Buehler, R-Crystal Lake, said.

 The $3.99 million project will add a memory care wing to the 120-bed county-owned nursing home west of Woodstock, and will be paid for through existing fund balances, without the need to borrow money or increase taxes. The County Board awarded the bid in June to Efraim Carlson and Son, of Libertyville; construction is expected to be complete next fall, weather permitting, with occupancy to begin in spring 2025.

 Prior to the groundbreaking, county leaders officially presented Valley Hi staff with the 2023 Silver National Quality Award they earned from the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living. The award recognizes nursing care and assisted-living organizations that set, and continuously improve upon, performance and quality standards to the enrich the lives of both their residents and staff.

 “Valley Hi staff set a goal of earning the Silver Award after they received the Bronze Award in 2016. I’m proud to see that they have earned this recognition after six years of dedicated service, continued professional and institutional development, and skillfully caring for our residents throughout the challenges – including COVID-19,” said County Board Valley Hi Operating Committee Chairwoman Theresa Meshes, D-Fox River Grove. “Valley Hi is now literally building on this success with the renovation of the memory care wing that will increase the services that we can offer to seniors.”

 The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living is the largest organization representing long-term and post-acute care providers, with more than 14,000 member facilities. Valley Hi was one of only 63 nursing homes nationwide, and one of only four in Illinois, to be awarded the Silver Quality Award in 2023.