Star City Six – Aubrey Paulsen
Tabitha (tabitha.org) offers a full range of senior care services in Lincoln and throughout 28 Nebraska counties. Aubrey Paulsen is a senior living advocate at Tabitha.
Tell us a little about your business.
For over 130 years, Tabitha has been committed to the communities we serve, providing these services for the right reasons as a faith-based, mission-focused nonprofit organization. Today, Tabitha assists over 2,000 seniors and their families daily with home health care, rehabilitation, long-term care to hospice, and everything in between. My role as a senior living advocate is to encourage families to “Start with Tabitha.” We are here to help point you in the right direction. Specifically, I’m here to listen and learn about your needs and share free expert guidance about the options you have and the community-based resources that are available. I understand how overwhelming senior care options and decisions can be for you or a loved one, and I can make that a much smoother process.
How did you get started in the business?
My family used Tabitha services for my grandmother for several years. The experience we had was powerful. The lasting relationships that were formed with Tabitha “TEAMembers” stayed with me throughout the years and greatly influenced me. I knew I wanted be a part of this work. Although it was several years before I became a Tabitha TEAMember, I regularly volunteered and was an active supporter.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
The ever-changing healthcare landscape is a challenge. Staying up-to-date on all the latest industry trends, regulations, and government aid programs is vital to my role, but this is also one of my favorite aspects of the work I do—it is constantly evolving. Working for a nonprofit organization such as Tabitha that provides compassionate care has been one of the best decisions in my life. It’s my calling and where I plan to grow my career.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
There isn’t just one achievement—each and every day that I am able to assist a family serves as a success for me. Options and decisions during the aging journey are difficult and when I help alleviate some of the stress and ease the process, then I’ve been successful. In fact, I have a bulletin board in my office where I keep cards, notes, and emails from grateful families that I’ve been privileged to serve.
Tell us a little about your family.
I’m happily married to my husband Mike, who is an electrical project manager for a Lincoln-based company. We have two children, Owen (10) and Christian (7). We also proudly own a three-year-old Shih Tzu mix named Carl.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“When you come to the end of all the light that you know, and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen; you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly.” – Edward Teller.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Kind.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
Well, Tabitha, of course! I’m also a member of the South Lincoln Rotary and serve on the board of the Coalition of Older Adult Health Promotion (COAHP). I spent several years on the board of my local rural healthcare system. Health care is a passion of mine both personally and professionally.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Phone: (402) 480-3487; Email: Aubrey.Paulsen@Tabitha.org; Website: www.tabitha.org.