Tabitha: A Leader in Innovative Care for Seniors
For 135+ years, nonprofit Tabitha has been providing comprehensive healthcare services for seniors across Nebraska. Tabitha continues to lead the way, evolving to suit the needs of the communities they are invited to service with fresh ideas. Here are a few examples of their groundbreaking work.
Intergenerational Living and Neighboring
Tabitha is gearing up to offer an innovative approach to living, the first-of-its-kind in the country–$26 million, state-of-the-art InterGenerational (InterGen) Living Community. InterGen will be home to two distinct groups: independent seniors (55+) and Bryan College of Health Sciences students. According to Tabitha President and CEO Christie Hinrichs, InterGen is one of the most innovative strategies Tabitha has ever taken on in the organization’s history.
Fulfilling the common needs of seniors and students, in an uncommon manner, is the approach of this InterGen neighborhood. This type of community addresses three major challenges: 1) loneliness across generations, 2) lack of moderately-priced housing, and 3) shortage of healthcare workers.
“Intergenerational living and purposeful neighboring have the power to change how the world approaches senior living,” said Hinrichs. “Loneliness is deadly, and our research shows that college-age students report an even higher degree of loneliness than seniors. That is why this matters so much–joy and gratitude will be felt across generations as wisdom, talents, and stories are shared from one generation to the other.”
The InterGen community will be built at the corner of 48th and “L” Streets, in the heart of Lincoln, with easy and walkable access to “O” Street and the Bryan College campus. The 150,000-square-foot, 4-story community will have a mix of 128 micro, studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Some amenities offered include underground parking, rooftop terrace, fire pit, and dog run. These spaces are designed to bring neighbors together.
Tabitha will formally break ground this spring. The project is slated to open in late summer or early fall of 2023.
“I have seen the benefits of older generations interacting with younger people. It can become too easy
for seniors to disengage with the younger generation and yet so many of us really enjoy getting to spend time with those younger than us. The fact that the Intergenerational Community will have nursing students is very exciting to me.”
– Pat Meierhenry, former Tabitha Hospice nurse and future resident
Tabitha Meals on Wheels Targets Senior Food Insecurity for 55 Years
For 450 Lincoln area recipients, Tabitha Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals daily, allowing residents to remain independent at home.
Approximately 25% of seniors require food assistance, and 81% of program recipients need financial support to continue receiving daily meals.
Equally important is the fact that seniors look forward to the visits.
So much more than just a lunch delivery. Tabitha Meals on Wheels volunteers provide a safety check and a friendly visit. Genevive’s family is especially grateful for this help. When Susan, a volunteer, knocked to deliver her daily meal, there was no answer. Concerned, Susan called Tabitha, who sent for assistance. Genevive was found on the floor, having recently suffered a stroke and unable to call for help. Susan and Tabitha Meals on Wheels saved her life that day.
There is always a need for people to get involved with this life-line program, either by donating their time to deliver meals or donating to cover the cost of the meals. Your support makes a difference. To learn how you can help, visit Tabitha.org/MarchForMeals.
As the state’s quality award-winning Senior Care expert, nonprofit Tabitha empowers people to live joyfully, age gratefully. Supporting friends and neighbors for over 135 years throughout much of Nebraska, Tabitha offers a range of services from results-driven rehabilitation, accessible at-home health care, innovative living communities, and compassionate hospice services.
Tabitha is Your Answer for Senior Care. Learn more at Tabitha.org.