Deb Reitmeier is only the second Annandale Care Center administrator since taking over the post from John Nelson in January but she has worked there for 12 years.
Reitmeier credits Nelson as a mentor as well as for all the innovations that the center has gone through during the last three decades.
"He was responsible for a lot of the vision for expanding this campus," Reitmeier said. "He also taught me a lot of what I know – he really took me under his wing."
Reitmeier said she is an accountant by trade and had never been in a nursing home until she was hired as the center’s controller 12 years ago. Since then, she has watched the center transform from a longterm care facility into more of a short-term care center. This is partly because of a greater number of services available to people that allow them to stay in their homes longer.
"This has been a growing trend over the years because there has been more of a push by the state to keep people in their homes longer because it’s less expensive for the state," Reitmeier said."If the memory care units weren’t available they would all be in the nursing home."
Residents in the longterm care setting typically require more extreme care than what can be provided in assisted living situations, Reitmeier explained. more care than can be provided in assisted living situations.
"If you are in the nursing home, it’s because you either need short-term rehab services or you need a lot more help and that’s the contrast because there is a nurse on duty 24 hours," Reitmeier said, adding that the current renovation is an attempt to make a new home for residents.
"They’ve lost so much of their independence by the time they get here – when they want to eat, when they go to bathroom," she said. "(As administrator), I get to make decisions that can help them feel like their getting back some of their independence and help that transition," Reitmeier said.
Working with friends
Reitmeier said she loves working at the Care Center because it’s like home to her. She works with her best friends and she enjoys getting to know the residents who live there.
"I work with some of my best friends near me," Reitmeier said. "If you can work the long days and be able to do it with your friends, that’s a perfect job."
She also participates in activities with the residents whenever possible. Her favorite activity is "volleyball," which is basically swatting a balloon with a flyswatter.
"I have a couple of good buddies that come in and talk to me every day and they’ll let me know if they don’t like something," Reitmeier said. "Their physical ailments bring them here but that’s the only reason they’re here. I think those are the people who the transition is hardest for because their minds want to do things but their bodies say ‘no.’ They are the people here who have severe physical problems but they are very mentally intact."
Being the administrator gets her out from behind her desk and that is something she enjoys.
"I get to be involved which is the part I think I like more than sitting at the other desk where I was at before – studying the numbers and making sure the budget works," she said.
Reitmeier said she is looking forward to this weekend’s anniversary celebration because it is also a time for staff as well as residents to celebrate with the community.
"It’s a celebration for not only the facility itself but many of the people who have worked here – many (of whom) have worked here all 30 years … most of our department directors have been here that long (28 to 30 years)," Reitmeier said. "We have a lot of longevity and we will be recognizing Roger Millner because he was very instrumental on our board as chair for many years."