Skilled nursing care at Meth-Wick is about more than meeting medical needs; it’s about creating a thoughtful, person-centered experience that helps residents feel safe, supported, and at home. That’s the goal every day at The Woodlands, Meth-Wick’s skilled nursing community, and it’s the vision that guides new administrator Nick Jedlicka.

We recently sat down with Nick to learn more about his background, his approach to leadership, and what makes The Woodlands such a unique place for residents, staff, and families alike.

Q: What first brought you to Meth-Wick, and why was The Woodlands a good fit for you?

My wife, Amber, worked here for many years.  She always had so much good to say about it, and I became familiar with Meth-Wick over the course of that time. My experience within the senior living industry, combined with my educational background and Meth-Wick’s commitment to the residents’ experience, made it a great fit.

Q: Tell us a little about your background in senior care.

My work in long-term care started when I worked as a dietary aide at the nursing facility in my hometown.  Along the way, I obtained my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Northern Iowa and the University of Dubuque.  I’ve been fortunate to experience both rural and urban senior living communities.  My duties have ranged from laundry, cooking/serving meals, and washing dishes, to changing light bulbs, fixing toilets, and assisting residents with cares, among other things. And have worked with some very impressive people during this time. I feel very blessed in what I’ve been able to do and who I’ve been able to work with during this time.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your role at The Woodlands?

I love seeing residents at the Woodlands having fun at the recreational programming we offer—and it’s fulfilling to be part of a dynamic community that has so much to offer the elderly.

Q: How does Meth-Wick being a Life Plan Community benefit residents who need skilled nursing care, either short-term or long-term?

As a Life Plan Community, we have a nearly endless number of amenities and extras that enable residents to thrive.  We are situated on a 68-acre campus, immersed in nature, with recreation trails meandering through our grounds. Our campus is also home to a lily pond, a creek, numerous landscaped flower beds, and an abundance of wildlife. Fitness and nutrition services are another strong point, allowing people to meet and exceed their goals for their own well-being.

If people need skilled level of care, The Woodlands is home to clinically gifted nurses and certified nurse aides who perform individualized hands-on care to assist residents with their health needs. We have regular visits from Sam Ryan, ARNP, and our Medical Director, Clete Younger, MD, provides physician oversight for our skilled and long-term services.  Additionally, we work with an outstanding team of physical, occupational, and speech therapy professionals who further enhance our residents’ health and day-to-day living.  When you join the care and services offered by our team at the Woodlands, with the numerous living options on campus, we are truly able to tailor an individual’s living needs to whatever their preferences may be.

We also do something very unique at The Woodlands—we utilize the household model of care, in which a Household Coordinator is assigned to each of the three neighborhoods to ensure they run smoothly on a day-to-day basis. It’s challenging to put into words the significance of this position for our residents and its strategic importance to our day-to-day approach to care.

Q: What does “person-centered care” mean to you, and how is that reflected at The Woodlands?

It means learning about the resident and meeting them where they are at, honoring their wishes, and letting their voice guide your work.  There is so much more that goes into person-centered care, but the essence is simply doing what is right and good.

Q: What does collaboration with families look like when it comes to resident care?

Collaboration with families has a lot to do with communication.  Care conferences are the formal aspect of this, where topics such as care planning, therapy/skilled care, and medications are specifically discussed with families.  There is informal communication which is helpful too, and comes in many different forms; the genuine care our residents get, a friendly smile and conversation with family as they are coming or going, a brief chat with a staff nurse to see how a loved one slept overnight.  Those small communications flow freely and often, helping staff and families bridge the communication gaps that sometimes creep in

Q: What changes have you noticed in skilled nursing over the last few years?

Regarding skilled nursing specifically, the last several years have seemed to be a continuation of the increase in Medicare replacement (a.k.a. Medicare Advantage or Medicare C) plans.  This is not a new phenomenon; it is the nature of the industry when it comes to skilled nursing in our current healthcare market.  My take is that this has required most facilities to adjust their strategies to meet the market’s demands.

Q: Are there any innovations—clinical or cultural—that you’re excited to see gaining traction in the field?

AI is receiving the most attention in the context of improving healthcare, particularly in the areas of electronic health records and staff interactions with residents.  There are some interesting AI-related tools out there honing in on ways to be predictive (preventative) when it comes to falls. Time will tell how effective these will be.

Q: What role do you see technology playing in the future of skilled nursing care?

It will always play a role.  The advent of the wheelchair goes back centuries, and we’ve come a long way since then. There are robotically enhanced surgical techniques, magnetic resonance imaging, and other amazing tools we have today. But to me, the most important aspect of technology is the human component. Behind every modern marvel is the person or people who developed it and/or have to be there to make it work.

Q: What do you find most rewarding about working with older adults?

Being a part of a team and community that has so many options for the elderly.  Aging in place, active aging, and life planning—these are industry catchphrases—but they are also great descriptions of what we provide to residents through our services and programs here at Meth-Wick.

Q: If someone is considering a career in senior care, what advice would you give them?

Be like a tree. Put down some roots, nourish yourself through education, experience, and peer/mentor learning, then grow tall so you can provide for others.

Q: Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing to relax or recharge?

I enjoy doing yard work and tinkering with random things (projects/fixes) at home. I also enjoy running outdoors (or walking) to get exercise and enjoy cooking and trying new recipes.

Care That Feels Like Home

Whether he’s supporting families, leading staff, or helping residents reach their goals, Nick brings a steady, compassionate presence to The Woodlands. With his deep experience and thoughtful leadership, Meth-Wick’s skilled nursing community continues to offer not just excellent care—but a true sense of home.