Ten years ago, Crystale Younger accepted a position as a Hospice Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with the Visiting Nurse Association.
She chose this calling long ago as she wanted to be able to care for her parents as they aged. Since that time, Crystale has honed her skills in both nursing homes and children’s hospitals and has found that she has a special place in her heart for the elderly population.
“I hate to see elders not be able to take care of themselves. They need that one person who really cares and who can really advocate on their behalf,” says Crystale.
In conjunction with the clinical staff, Crystale talks to family members about their loved ones –explaining the dying process and providing comfort for them in their time of need. It’s a combination of passion, trust, and compassion, she explains. “The best part is to see the patient and their family members smile and know that they are OK with what is going on,” she says.
Crystale admits that having the emotional fortitude to do the job each day is critical because it’s easy to get emotionally attached to patients. “Making them feel that someone loves them and cares about them is what I focus on with my patients and their families,” she says.
At home, Crystale is a busy wife and mother to three children. She is known for her cooking and entertaining skills and has a special niche for party décor. She’s also a student and is currently perusing her degree in Business Administration.