07/23/2026
Rock River Hospice & Home Announces Closure of Operations;
Hospice Home to Continue Under Future CGH Medical Center Ownership
July 22, 2026 (Sterling, IL) - It is with immense sadness that Rock River Hospice & Home announces it will close its operations on August 1, 2026, after more than four decades of serving patients and families throughout the Sauk Valley and surrounding communities.
Since 1982, Rock River Hospice & Home has provided expert hospice and end-of-life care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. For 44 years, our mission has been to place the needs of patients and their loved ones first, offering compassionate support during life's most challenging moments. Through the dedication of our physicians, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains, bereavement counselors, volunteers, and staff, we have been privileged to walk alongside thousands of families during some of their most meaningful and difficult experiences.
This decision comes only after careful consideration and reflects the significant financial challenges facing many independent hospice organizations nationwide. Changes in healthcare reimbursement, increasing operating costs, and other economic pressures have made it increasingly difficult for standalone hospice providers to remain financially sustainable. Despite every effort to continue operations, Rock River Hospice & Home determined it can no longer overcome these ongoing financial challenges.
Although the organization is closing, we are grateful that the Hospice Home itself will continue to serve our community. CGH Medical Center expects to acquire the Hospice Home property, preserving this important community resource while pursuing the regulatory approvals necessary to once again offer hospice services from this location.
The Hospice Home, which opened in October 2017, through the extraordinary generosity of donors, community partners, and volunteers, was built to provide a peaceful, home-like setting where patients and families could spend precious time together surrounded by dignity, comfort, and compassion. Knowing this special place will continue serving the Sauk Valley provides reassurance during this difficult transition.
"It has been the greatest privilege to care for our patients and families and to support them through their end-of-life journeys," said Hospice Board President, Deb Keaschall."While we grieve the closing of our organization, we are profoundly grateful for the trust our community has placed in us since 1982. We are equally grateful that the Hospice Home will continue serving our community under future ownership by CGH Medical Center, helping ensure this special place remains available for patients and families for years to come."
The purchase of the Hospice Home property is separate from Rock River Hospice & Home's decision to cease operations, which was made because of longstanding financial challenges facing the organization.
"Rock River Hospice & Home has meant so much to this community for more than four decades," said Dr. Paul Steinke, President and CEO of CGH Medical Center. "While we are saddened to see the organization close, we are honored to preserve the Hospice Home and intend to restore hospice services there as soon as federal regulations allow. We believe continuing access to compassionate end-of-life care is important for the people of our region, and we look forward to carrying that mission forward."
Because of a current federal moratorium on new Medicare hospice certifications across the United States, CGH Medical Center cannot immediately resume hospice operations. The moratorium, established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), temporarily prevents new hospice Medicare certifications, branch openings, and certain changes in majority ownership.
Once the moratorium is lifted - currently anticipated late 2026 - CGH Medical Center intends to apply for the required Medicare certification and state licensure so hospice services can once again be offered from the Hospice Home. While this temporary interruption is unavoidable, CGH is committed to restoring hospice services as soon as regulatory approval is obtained.
Rock River Hospice & Home extends its deepest gratitude to the patients and families who entrusted us with their care, to our dedicated employees and volunteers who lived our mission every day, and to the generous donors, community partners, and supporters whose unwavering commitment made our work possible. Your compassion helped build not only an organization, but a Hospice Home that became a place of peace, comfort, and love for so many families.
Although Rock River Hospice & Home's operations will conclude on August 1, 2026, its legacy will endure through the thousands of patients and families it has served, the dedicated professionals and volunteers who carried out its mission, and the Hospice Home that will continue to stand as a place of comfort and compassion for future generations.
