National Skilled Nursing Care Week associate spotlight: Arshieta Thornton

After the challenges presented last year, Arshieta Thornton, activities assistant at Life Care Center of Red Bank in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has gone above and beyond to show that she is committed to taking care of residents through every season. She has been at Life Care Center of Red Bank for 16 years, and she always pushes herself toward a new goal. She started in housekeeping and laundry, and her sister encouraged her to take a CNA class. From there, she worked herself up to activities assistant. Arshieta then earned her CDL license so she is able to transport residents wherever they need to go, and she is currently working on a certification for activities.

“My residents are the best part of my job,” said Arshieta. “They teach me the true meaning of love.”

Arshieta is described as a willing person. She is always volunteering, and residents ask for her for help or to come and sit with them. Her supervisors are encouraged by her willingness to do whatever it takes and by her love for residents and co-workers.

“Last year, Arshieta won the Whatever It Takes And Then Some prize of $500, and she went out with the money and bought all of the CNAs gift cards,” said Tillie Grant, activities director. “She is always willing to tackle projects with me and will volunteer for any job she can do. She is an excellent co-worker, friend and sister to me.”

When fear and panic spread through facilities around the country last year because of the pandemic, Arshieta’s encouraging spirit helped many of her co-workers and residents. She said the No. 1 lesson her job has taught her is to not stress.

“When you are stressed, others will feed off of your reaction,” said Arshieta. “Residents were upset during COVID-19 due to not seeing their families, and I would tell them, ‘We got this.’ A lot of the residents got through the Great Depression and world wars, and I told them if they can get through that, we can get through this.”

Through Arshieta’s willingness and dedication to her residents in the good and the tough seasons, she has shown what a true champion of care is.

At Life Care Centers of America, we are proud of our compassionate staff. We are honored to recognize associates who, despite the challenges of the past year, showed an incredible and steadfast commitment to providing quality care and ensuring the safety of residents and fellow associates. We celebrate their influence on our lives during National Skilled Nursing Care Week, May 9–15.