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
Page 2 ♦ Albert Lea Tribune ♦ Tuesday, March 18, 2014 ♦ Senior Living
Celebrating Mardi Gras at St. John’s
Submitted
Residents and staff at St. John’s Lutheran Community celebrate Mardi Gras with a parade March 4. The grand marshal was Kenny King, anchor for KAAL-TV 6 News. The drum core from Glenville High School performed drum rolls, and the residents clapped and cheered for their favorite entry. Refreshments and a special Mardi Gras cake were served to the residents and all who participated in the parade.
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Senior Living ♦ Tuesday, March 18, 2014 ♦ Albert Lea Tribune ♦ Page 3
Pope sees banner first year, but expectations high
Goin’ for a ride
VATICAN CITY (AP) — From his simple sound bites to his breaking of Vatican rules, Pope Francis has made being Catholic cool in his first year. He might not like his superstar status, but he certainly knows how to work a crowd and he has endeared himself to the public for looking out for the poor and radically
shifting the church’s focus to mercy rather than moralizing. “Now, people are happy to say ‘Well, actually I am a Catholic,’ and sometimes they’re quite keen to let themselves be known as a Catholic,” British Cardinal Vincent Nichols said. “And I think that’s the effect of Pope Francis. There is credibility around the Catholic project.”
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Thorne Crest Retirement Community residents enjoy a snowmobile ride one day earlier this winter. The 1975 John Deere 400 vintage snowmobile they rode is owned by Weston Hulst, Thorne Crest wellness director.
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Submitted
The king and queen for the first floor were Sheila Weitzel, queen, and Arthur Christianson, king.
Residents at St. John’s Lutheran Community enjoy Valentine’s Day festivities earlier this year. A king and queen were selected from each floor at the facility. The second-floor king and queen were Ralph Reindal and Dorothy Burglund.
St. John’s Rehabilitation Program
Family, friends and staff could buy a singing Valentine for residents for $1, including a rose and a card. St John’s volunteers and staff present the rose, card and song for each resident.
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Page 4 ♦ Albert Lea Tribune ♦ Tuesday, March 18, 2014 ♦ Senior Living We are located behind Perkins Come Check us Out!
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Send a letter to the editor. letters@albertleatribune.com
Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
Margaret Flugum, right, walks with the help of Traci Bennett on Monday at Thorne Crest Retirement Community.
Smile: Woman valued at Thorne Crest
Continued from Front Page Thorne Crest administrator, said Bennett plays a crucial role for the residents at the facility, serves on various committees and knows many of the other staff members. “She’s worked for us for so long and has really done a fantastic job,” Eckberg said. “She has be-
come part of their family and they count on her.” Karen Anderson, Thorne Crest marketing director, said she is impressed with the care Bennett shows to the residents. “When I think of my loved ones, I would want them to be with someone like Traci,” Anderson said. “She does it because
she loves it.” Bennett is married to her husband, Jeff, and has a daughter, Kayla, two stepchildren, Heather and Cody, and five grandchildren. Outside of work, she is active in Albert Lea’s Moose Lodge and loves to read. She takes her granddaughter to dance class every Tuesday.
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50 and older crowd is on the go. Organized tours and cruises are among the top choices for vacation among boomers, and the good news is that there are hundreds of options to choose from with both. Clay Buckley, vice president of lifestyle, at AARP Services Inc., a taxable subsidiary of AARP, said boomers should consider many factors when deciding on the perfect trip. “Some travelers over 50 may prefer a relaxing itinerary among people their own age, while others want to be on the go with people of all ages,” said Buckley. “Luckily, the options in cruises and tours are vast enough to suit any style, budget and need.” Buckley recommends boomer travelers consider the following when planning a cruise or tour: • Trip activity level: Travelers should determine objectives for their trips. Is it to rest and relax? Learn? Enjoy lots of activities? Tours and cruises often have themes and all have set itineraries, so it’s important to know what to expect before you go. • Destination: Some cruises and tours head for far-reaching places and little-known ports of call, while others stick to more mainstream destinations. Others combine the two. Travelers should consider the appeal of all legs of their trip. Some also like to take trips that enable them to add on other destinations or more days to the end or beginning of the trip. • Timing and budget:
Prices for tours and cruises may be lower in off seasons such as spring and fall, and may also help travelers avoid weather extremes. Also, single travelers should be aware that some trips charge for lodging based on double occupancy. In addition, the cost to get to and from the trip should be factored into a trip budget. For example, you may have to fly to and from a cruise port. • Size: From intimate, small-group excursions by van or small boat, to large tours via bus or cruise ship, size makes a difference. Travelers should be realistic about their desire to be around large or small groups for extended periods and their need for independent travel or time alone. They should also be aware that some cruises and tours cater specifically to families. • Physical limitations: Travelers with physical limitations or special medical needs should assess their ability to engage in the trip itinerary. They should also check whether medical care is readily available or accessible while on the trip. • Discounts: Vacationers should remember they can save on their trip by seeking out available discounts. For example, from cruises to rental cars, a variety of travel discounts are available to AARP members. Discount providers are selected only after a rigorous process is performed to ensure AARP members receive a valuable offer they want and the quality service they expect, said Buckley.
Earthquake strongly felt across LA
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A pre-dawn earthquake rolled across the Los Angeles basin on Monday, rattling residents from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach. The quake’s magnitude was 4.4 and it was centered 15 miles west-northwest of the downtown civic center, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Los Angeles police and fire officials said there were no immediate reports of damage. “It rocked and rolled for about 10 or 12 seconds. I’m surprised nothing fell off the walls or broke — and nothing did — but it was quite a shaker,” said Brian Bland, a retired AP Radio correspondent who lives in suburban Santa Monica.
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