Joe Caldwell, Administrator of the Ridgewood Care Facility, provided the program this noon for our Kiwanis Club. Ridgewood is the oldest of the Care Facilities in Seward and is undergoing considerable renovation and new construction. When completed this fall, what is now "Ridgewood West" will be the parking lot for the combined new and renovated facility. It will be divided into 3 "family units" with one of them being for residents needing memory support. The new addition will include a chapel and other facilities not now available. Ridgewood is owned by the Jack and Eldora Vetter corporation with headquarters in Omaha. They are native Nebraskans with over 30 facilities, most of which are in eastern Nebraska but some in neighboring states. Joe speaks highly of the Vetter's and of their personal interest in the welfare and care of residents. Joe is a busy fellow with a staff that includes 11 nurses and CNA's to care for 60 residents in addition to support and administrative personnel. He is also President of the Seward Chamber of Commerce.
The square section on the left of the layout is all new construction as well as the connection of the two wings at the top of the right side. We spent a lot of time at Ridgewood during the several years that my Aunt Ethel was there and Elaine and I took care of her business. My Uncle Joe was also there during part of that time. As we deliver Home Delivered Meals to some of the folks that live alone, it seems that being in a care facility provides a higher quality of life. Medicare has been a great help in maintaining the dignity of the ageing.
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