GETTING ACQUAINTED — New Richland Care Center’s new administrator, Lyn Sebenaler, left, chats with resident Robert “Swan” Tollefson. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
It’s no secret that New Richland Care Center residents are having a holly, jolly time this holiday season. And no, it’s not because of the mistletoe or colorful lights.
Sure, these Christmas-oriented things might liven up everybody’s spirits, but the core of their happiness stems from the newly-hired administrator, Lyn Sebenaler.
“I enrich lives that normally would be lonely,” Sebenaler said. “Nursing homes are notorious for being cold and impersonal, but I thought this place to be very warm and open.”
Actually, the moment she walked on the premises, there was an instant connection. Smaller-bed facilities just have a way of doing that to her.
“Recently, I worked in Thief River Falls for a 52-bed facility,” she said. “I started out as the assistant administrator and moved to head administrator after I completed my coursework for nursing home administration.”
Now all this full-fledged administrator has to do is learn the residents’ names. It might take a bit, but she promises to have them memorized by next year.
“I have worked in a 160-bed facility before,” she said. “Here, I can get to know the residents better and maintain a closer-knit family with co-workers.”
By year’s end, she would also like to have staffing changes in place and implement a couple of building changes. Involvement within the community is a must as well.
“I do want to introduce myself over at Country Neighbors and get to know them,” she said. “There are other community leaders I hope to get involved with too.”
With this solid support system, she has the utmost confidence that positive changes will take place as far as the eye can see.
“I like to observe and supervise by walking around the building on a daily basis,” she said. “Staff members will always be consistently clocked in on Monday through Friday. This way, family members and residents can count on them and know their schedules.”
Those strolls down the hallway most often prove to be filled with great emotion. No one is sad or crying and seems to be very relaxed.
“It’s very rewarding to see that,” she said. “But, I’m not the one who should take kudos for that. All staff should be commended for their quality of service and care. They do a really good job. They really do.”
As a team player, she has had one clear goal in mind for the last 25 years in this field and that is to enrich the lives of so many “just left to die, as it were.”
“This is their home,” she said. “I do see many more visitors here in New Richland in comparison to larger cities.”
Residents have especially been enjoying this time of year, as the holidays really spice up their attitudes for just about anything.
“We get to see them enjoy themselves and do things with them,” she said. “In the spring and summer, there are picnics and various outings too. But when it’s all said and done, it’s a business, so we have run it as such but also need to take time out to enjoy life.”
Outside of the care center walls, she takes time to enjoy the arts. Her weekends are occasionally spent immersing in the ballet, the opera and art shows.
“I love the Vikings,” she said. “I’ve been a fan for over 30 years. I’ve worn the horns with the long pigtails.”
She has even dyed her hair purple before. Plus, every Sunday she wears her Vikings’ gear.
“I live in Owatonna,” she said. “It’s close enough to the Cities and has more of the rolling hills and warmer temperatures than Thief River Falls.”
Now pretty well acclimated to the area, this long-term care aficionado can say with certainty that she plans to stay here until retirement.
“I have 10 years left to really make a difference in an elderly person’s life,” she said. “Senior citizens are very wise and have a lot to offer in return.”