Senior Living A special supplement to the Albert Lea Tribune Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
Traci Bennett, a certified nursing assistant at Thorne Crest Retirement Community, talks with Margaret Flugum Monday afternoon at the facility.
A helpful smile at Thorne Crest
CNA has worked for nursing home more than 25 yrs. By Sarah Stultz
sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com
Since she got her first job, Albert Lean Traci Bennett has been a certified nursing assistant. Starting in high school and continuing to this day, she said she enjoys working with people, particularly the elderly. Bennett has been at Thorne Crest Retirement Community since 1987 and presently has numerous responsibilities. Not only is she a CNA, but she is also a trained medication aide and a wellness coach. As a CNA, she gets residents up in the morning, gives them baths and helps them complete other tasks. “Whatever they need,” Bennett said. “Sometimes it’s just sitting down and talking to them. Some of
Traci Bennett, left, and Aracely Johnson help Thorne Crest Retirement Community resident Ruth Levisen on Monday. them don’t have family.” As a trained medication aide, she can give residents their medication under the direction of the nurse. As a wellness coach, she works with Thorne Crest’s wellness director, Weston Hulst, to help the residents get more exercise and move better. She recalled one resident who came to Thorne Crest who could not get up on her own or walk. She had to use
a lift to get up and sat in a wheelchair. After taking part in the wellness program, the woman can now use a walker and walk with a staff member, Bennett said. And she has hopes of someday getting rid of the wheelchair. “It is really satisfying to see,” she said. “They need to get up and move around. It’s very important.” Shanna Eckberg, 4Smile, Page 4