Care at Meth-Wick Community is built around relationships, continuity, and meeting people where they are—whether that care happens in assisted living or at home. As Nurse Manager for Arbor Place, Custom Care, and Home & Health Services, Tali Efimov plays a key role in ensuring residents experience thoughtful, person-centered care across multiple settings.
We recently sat down with Tali to learn more about her background in geriatric nursing, her approach to leadership, and how her work helps support residents and families throughout every stage of Meth-Wick’s continuum of care.
Q: Can you share an overview of your education, professional background, and what first brought you to Meth-Wick?
I received my bachelor’s degree in nursing from Mt. Mercy University and am board-certified in geriatrics. I started at Meth-Wick in the Home and Health Department and worked in Custom Care Assisted Living before my current role as the Delegating RN for Assisted Living.
I did a clinical rotation at Meth-Wick during nursing school and appreciated the different levels of care it provides and its beautiful campus.
Q: You oversee Arbor Place, Custom Care, and Home & Health Services as a Nurse Manager. How would you describe your role across these different areas?
I found having a background in the Home and Health Department was extremely beneficial when I transitioned to the assisted living side. I had developed relationships with many of the residents who were then moving to assisted living or were already there. Having already developed those relationships and trust made such a difference in their continuum of care. Working as the Nurse Manager for all these departments now allows me to make these same types of connections again.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you, and how do you stay connected to staff and residents?
A typical day as a Nurse Manager is a balance of clinical oversight, team support and resident engagement. I touch base with the caregivers to address any immediate needs or changes in condition and then collaborate with providers and families to ensure quality of care and concerns are addressed.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your role, and what do you find most rewarding about working with older adults and their families?
I value the opportunity to spend time with residents, learning about their lives and listening to their stories.
It is incredibly rewarding to build genuine, long-term relationships while supporting residents and families through important moments in their lives. Older adults bring so much life experience and resilience and it’s incredibly fulfilling to help them maintain their dignity and stay independent for as long as possible.
Q: How would you describe Meth-Wick’s overall approach to care, and how do you help reinforce that across multiple teams and settings?
We focus on understanding each resident as an individual, their health needs, life history, preferences, and goals, then coordinate care that supports this. I place a strong emphasis on consistent communication with staff and peers to achieve these goals across all departments.
Q: What makes the nursing and caregiving teams you lead stand out?
The teams stand out because of their professionalism and heart. They approach their work with empathy, patience, and respect. We reinforce this by setting clear expectations, investing in ongoing education, and modeling calm, respectful leadership. The result is a culture where staff feel supported and valued, and residents receive high-quality, person-centered care.
Q: How do you balance regulatory requirements, staffing needs, and quality outcomes across different service lines?
I perform routine auditing to maintain regulatory compliance and staff oversight. We then maintain staffing needs through cross-training across departments to meet the changing needs of each department.
Q: You recently completed the LeadingAge Leadership Academy. What motivated you to pursue that opportunity, and what’s one key takeaway that has influenced your leadership?
Meth-Wick has always had such great leadership so when presented with the opportunity to participate in some of the same education and learn practical leadership tools, I jumped at the opportunity. The concept of prioritizing self-care to be the best leader for your team really resonated with me.
Q: What changes or trends are you seeing in nursing or home-based care that feel most important for the future?
Care is shifting toward personalized, holistic, resident-centered models with care being tailored to each resident’s lifestyle, physical abilities, cognitive status, and preferences, which means more programming around social interactions, cognitive stimulation, and activities that support autonomy.
Q: What does it mean to you personally to be part of the Meth-Wick community?
As a Nurse Manager at Meth-Wick, I value the ability to lead teams in creating consistent, person-centered care. Seeing residents thrive and families feel confident in the care their loved ones receive reinforces why this work matters and my commitment to geriatric nursing.
Q: Outside of work, how do you like to relax or recharge?
Outside of work, I like to keep it simple. I enjoy a good book, puzzles, and spending time spoiling my dog, who fully expects to be treated like royalty. When I get a chance, my husband and I love to travel and explore new places and foods, which is a great way to reset and come back refreshed and recharged.
Leadership That Supports Every Stage of Care
Whether she’s supporting residents and families, guiding care teams, or strengthening continuity across services, Tali brings a steady, compassionate presence to Arbor Place, Custom Care, and Home & Health Services. Through her leadership and commitment to person-centered care, Meth-Wick continues to provide support that feels personal, trusted, and reassuring every step of the way.