Aldrich is new David Place Administrator

The Banner-Press BY SHARI AND JIM REISDORFF FOR THE BANNER-PRESS

For Barb Aldrich, david place is the place she can make a difference. In order to do that, Aldrich has returned to the nursing home facility here in a new capacity as administrator. She took over the position June 2, succeeding former long-time administrator Mary Lee Lipstreu, who has retired.

The surroundings are familiar for Aldrich, who worked as a nurse at david place from 1980 to 1989. And it’s a return to the David City community where Aldrich worked at St. Joseph’s Villa, the other local nursing home facility, for 18 years. She served the last 10 of those as the Villa’s activities director. During the past five years, Aldrich has expanded her expertise in the field of senior nursing care by training in the field of administrative duties. She then previously worked as administrator at two other Nebraska nursing homes.

Aldrich served as administrator at the Rosebrook Care Center in Edgar for two years, followed by a similar position at Crestview Care Center in Milford for three years. With a 75-bed capacity, david place is the largest of the three facilities where Aldrich has worked as administrator.

Aldrich was hired by Vetter Senior Living, Inc., the Elkhorn-based firm that owns david place and 29 other care facilities in five states. For Aldrich the new job means re-connecting with other david place employees and residents of the area. “I look forward to being included in the community. It is coming home again,” Aldrich said. “Vetter’s values line up with mine, so I’m very comfortable working with them,” Aldrich said. These include having a strong commitment to issues that involve the quality of life, care and facilities experienced by nursing home residents. “My goal is that every resident is as happy as can be in this stage of their life,” Aldrich said.

One of her strong points is “future thinking,” she said. “I like to plan for the future, and as a team player, we will be developing teams among the employees.” The residents and their families won’t see any big changes except for a renovation planned for the employees’ break room. A 1975 graduate of Fremont High School, Aldrich received her LPN license in 1980. She then began her first stint as a care provider at david place, four years after the facility first opened. She later joined the staff of St. Joseph’s Villa, serving in various nursing posts until becoming activities director. Meanwhile she attended Southeast Community College to earn an associate’s degree in nursing home administration.

Aldrich and her husband Andrew have been married 37 years. They have four children; Jessica Theween of Lincoln, twin sons Drew and Dallas Aldrich of David City, and Rebecca Aldrich of Gothenburg. They also have seven grandchildren.

On account of Mary Lee Lippstreu’s 32-year career as david place administrator, Aldrich is only the third person to hold the position. Lippstreu advised Aldrich during a two-day transitional period for the position. “Mary Lee did a good job. I’m honored to follow her,” Aldrich said. Aldrich is already facing her first major staff change. Dan Smith, director of nursing, has moved on to a similar position at a new Vetter-owned facility soon to open in Columbus. Job interviews for Smith’s replacement are currently being conducted, Aldrich said.

With the baby boom generation entering their senior years, Aldrich said it will be up to her employer, Vetter, to determine how this will impact a nursing care facility like david place.

For her part, Aldrich said she stands ready to help david place residents and their families. “Everybody’s an individual. Our goal is to allow our residents to carry over their routines and habits as much as we can,” Aldrich said. “I’ve always liked working with the elderly. They have so much to offer–wisdom, friendship. They have lived such interesting lives, we need to give them support,” she added.

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