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Tabitha History

Tabitha historic photo

Tabitha has a rich history in Nebraska, from its roots as an orphanage to innovation in home health, hospice and senior living, to today being an industry leader in Senior Care services. Below is a timeline of Tabitha through the years.

  • 1886
    1886

    Tabitha is founded as an orphanage by Rev. Henry Heiner.

  • 1890
    1890

    "Old Main" is constructed as residence to house orphaned children, homeless adults and elderly.

  • 1907

    Tabitha expands into Lutheran hospital and school of nursing.

  • 1909

    Service begins for tuberculosis patients.

  • 1926
    1926

    Nazareth Building (boys’ dormitory) is built.

  • 1937
    1937

    Bethel Building (girls’ dormitory) is built.

  • 1946
    1946

    Construction begins on today’s Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center south wing.

  • 1960

    Original role as an orphanage ends; records transferred to Lutheran Family Services in Omaha. Adults in long-term care remained.

  • Home health care services begin.
    Tabitha Home Health becomes Medicare-certified.

  • Tabitha Meals on Wheels service begins.

  • 1971

    Tabitha adds a new skilled nursing unit.

  • Tabitha Village Senior Living Apartments are built.

  • 1974

    Offices established in Friend and Seward. Home care services begin in Saline County.

  • Tabitha Hospice (then Hospice of Tabitha) begins, first hospice service in Lincoln.
    Hamilton County office (Aurora) opens.

  • Tabitha Rehabilitation Services begin.

  • Creation of Tabitha Foundation

  • 1982

    Hospice services become Medicare-certified.
    Private-duty home care services established as Special Care Services.

  • Hospice services expand into Seward and York counties.

  • 1993
    1993

    Maseman Unit for inpatient hospice care is dedicated in honor of Martha A. Maseman, RN, who pioneered Tabitha’s home health care, hospice and Tabitha Meals on Wheels services.

    Johnsen Family Wing opens.

  • 1995

    Augustine Rehabilitation Unit opens.

  • 1996

    Offices open in Grand Island and York.

    Tabitha Bryan Special Care becomes Home Care Specialties of Tabitha, Inc.

  • Nursing home renamed Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

    Office opens in Nebraska City.

  • Kimmel Solarium for Alzheimer’s care opens.

  • Garden Lane Adult Day Services begin at Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

  • Tabitha is selected as one of four model sites for national Green House Project® (now Tabitha Residences).

  • 2004
    2004

    Tabitha Hospice is formally recognized as the founding hospice in Nebraska at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s national conference in Washington, D.C.

    LifeQuest Rehabilitation Center opens.

  • 2006
    2006

    Tabitha opens Nebraska's first Green House® home (now Tabitha Residence—Martin House) for long-term care.

    Tabitha Nursing Center at Crete opens.

  • Tabitha introduces Honeywell HomMed® Telehealth.

  • 2010

    Tabitha adds Garden Square Assisted Living of Crete (now Tabitha in Crete—The Gardens Assisted Living) to its continuum of health care services.

    Tabitha opens its second Green House home (now Tabitha Residence—Good House).

  • 2011
    2011

    Tabitha opens four new living communities—two additional Green House homes (now Tabitha Residences—Elizabeth House and Martha House), GracePointe Assisted Living & Memory Care Suites and Journey House SNF, Lincoln's only free-standing, Medicare-certified hospice community.

    Club 4 Fitness and Rehabilitation Gyms open.

News Feed

May 14, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

The term ‘senior’ has even more meaning at a special senior prom. GracePointe by Tabitha, Assisted Living & Memory Care Suites, hosted its annual spring dinner and dance with a nostalgic ‘Springtime in the Country’ theme. Read more.

May 14, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha, Nebraska’s industry-leading Senior Care provider, offers grief groups and hospice volunteer training throughout the month of June in Lincoln, York, Grand Island, and Nebraska City, NE. Learn more.

May 6, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha recognized a select group of donors and volunteers who give extraordinarily in the pursuit of outstanding, compassionate care at Tabitha’s annual Into the Blue luncheon at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln. Read more.

April 30, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

May is a month of giving in Nebraska, starting with the Grand Island area's Go Big GIVE day of giving May 2, and ending with Lincoln's Give to Lincoln Day May 30. Read more how you can support Seniors this month.

April 23, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha Offers Grief Groups, Remembrance Service and Hospice Volunteer Training throughout May.

April 22, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Health changes may affect your driving skills over time, as aging begins to alter your vision, hearing and mobility. Read more.

April 19, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha, with the Lincoln Track Club, hosted the third annual Tabitha Miles for Meals Run. Runners, walkers and spectators bundled up to support their friends and neighbors who rely on Tabitha Meals on Wheels. Read more.

April 18, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha congratulates TEAMember of the Year, Francie Cable, a patient care coordinator for Tabitha Hospice who ensures clients and families receive exceptional hospice care services. Read more.

April 15, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha clinical team members now benefit from another Tabitha Workforce Development project—an in-house CPR lab. Read more.

March 21, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha connected a special group of retired Lincoln pastors, missionaries and their wives at the annual Amazing Grays Luncheon. Read more.

March 18, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Vitamins help us resist infection, keep nerves healthy and help energize our bodies. As we age, getting proper nutrients becomes even more important. Read more.

March 6, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha physical and occupational therapists took their expertise to the next level by adding Lymphedema Therapy certification (CLT) to their skillset. Read more.

February 28, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Tabitha’s March for Meals is a monthlong celebration of Tabitha’s Meals on Wheels program, helping 500 neighbors daily remain independent at home. Learn more.

February 19, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

At each doctor’s visit, it’s important to be open about your health. Talking about your health means sharing information about how you feel physically, emotionally and mentally. Read more.

February 11, 2019
byTabitha Marketing

Nonprofit Tabitha is honored to be nominated for Lincoln's Choice Awards for Senior Living, Physical Therapy, Work Environment and Charity/Nonprofit. Please vote Tabitha daily through Feb. 24.