A Holistic Approach to Senior Wellness: Speaking With Tabitha McIlhaney

At Heather Glen Senior Living, it’s always been our mission to ensure that seniors in the Lehigh Valley receive the utmost care and experience an exceptional level of wellness, comfort and happiness. Behind the scenes, there is an incredible team of professionals that make this happen, including Tabitha McIlhaney—our Director of Wellness. With her extensive background in healthcare and a genuine passion for working with seniors and elevating their quality of life, Tabitha ensures that our valued residents receive the absolute best of care and enjoy a holistic, well-rounded approach to wellness. Continue reading as we delve into her journey and the impact she has made at Heather Glen Senior Living.

A lifelong dedication to senior care

With a bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration and over 20 years of experience as a nurse, Tabitha McIlhaney brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her role. She has worked at Heather Glen Senior Living since April 2022, leaving an indelible mark on the community.

“My career as a nurse has given me a variety of experiences, including long-term care, acute care, personal care and education," says Tabitha. "Throughout my career, my path has always brought me back to senior care. I enjoy working with and learning from the senior population. These years should be as enjoyable as possible, and I love knowing I can make a difference.”

We're thrilled that Tabitha's path has led her to Heather Glen, where she continues to make a profound impact on the lives of the residents and their families. Her genuine passion for working with seniors shines through in every aspect of her role, making her an invaluable asset to our mission. As the Director of Wellness, Tabitha takes on numerous responsibilities to ensure the safety, well-being and comfort of both residents and staff. From managing resident and staff records and maintaining compliance with regulations to monitoring staffing ratios and keeping the entire team well-informed—she’s always working hard and keeping up with the latest innovations in senior care to guarantee the very best quality of living for every single resident.

“I am a firm believer in continuing education,” Tabitha explains. “I keep up to date with new research and publications on senior care. Some of my favorite places to find new material are the National League of Medicine, the National Institute of Health and JSTOR.”

Her commitment to ongoing education and best practices allows her to continually improve the services and programs offered at Heather Glen, fostering an environment where seniors can flourish and enjoy their golden years to the fullest.

A holistic, personalized approach to wellness

Because of her extensive background and profound level of knowledge in senior care, Tabitha firmly believes in a holistic, personalized approach to wellness. She explains, “Holistic care involves mind, body and spirit. A holistic approach to wellness includes getting to know the person you are working with, building a personal connection with them and addressing their needs quickly. As part of the wellness team, we realize everyone’s needs are unique, and the ways of meeting those needs may differ from person to person. We carefully assess each person to determine our approach to care.”

Heather Glen Senior Living deeply values a holistic approach to wellness because we understand that the well-being of our residents extends far beyond just physical health. By addressing the mind, body and spirit and creating personalized care plans for each resident—we strive to provide a comprehensive and fulfilling living experience that promotes overall happiness and quality of life. Some residents may come in that need specialized memory care support, or perhaps they might need assistance with daily activities and personal care—which is why we curate individualized plans surrounding their wants and needs at any given time.

“It is important for us to really get to know each resident so we can understand what their unique individual needs may be—from physical needs to emotional and psychological,” Tabitha emphasizes. “Along with the care team staff, we collaborate to develop a specific plan of care that meets these needs. During the assessment period, we work closely with other departments, such as activities and dining, to ensure all aspects of wellness are met. We incorporate activities of interest into our programs and arrange for dietary preferences, and we really try to help our seniors maintain their level of independence, stimulate their minds and increase socialization so they can live longer, happier and healthier lives.”

At the end of the day, our goal at Heather Glen Senior Living is to ensure that every resident feels valued, supported and empowered to live their best life in a nurturing and compassionate environment—and Tabitha is undoubtedly an integral part of our success.

Trust our team at Heather Glen Senior Living

At Heather Glen Senior Living, we fully understand how tough it can be to place your trust in a senior care community, but with team members like Tabitha leading us and our mission—you can rest assured that your loved one will receive the best care in the entire Lehigh Valley area.

“Entrusting a loved one to the hands of a community can be difficult for families. Being able to build a relationship—with trust and good communication with the nurses and care staff—can lead to a better transition into a senior community,” Tabitha explains. “Our staff is experienced and continually trained to identify and meet resident needs, and our community is one of the strongest teams I have ever been part of. We work together to meet goals while maintaining our high standard of care. I love building relationships with residents and families and I’ve had so many rewarding experiences with them, and I feel so grateful they have chosen Heather Glen to care for their loved ones.”

Tabitha is a prime example of the standard we uphold here at Heather Glen Senior Living, and we’re proud to offer a safe, supportive and caring environment where seniors can thrive and flourish for years to come. To learn more about the Heather Glen mission or for any questions, give us a call at (610) 841-4478 or fill out our online form and set up a time to tour the area today! We’re happy to help.