Crystal DeMoss honored at Willow Creek Health Care
Willow Creek Health Care is a hometown name for families to trust when a change in health requires the need for greater support and daily assistance for their loved ones. Confidence is earned by the respect and dignity provided to residents in a comfortable environment and friendly staff.
Phoebe Kauley serves as an LPN at Willow Creek Nursing Center in Guthrie. She noticed a particular nurse aide making a glowing impression on the residents’ lives. And so, Kauley nominated CNA/CMA Crystal DeMoss for a special recognition. In-turn the nursing center demonstrated its appreciation by awarding DeMoss’s example.
“She is definitely a rare breed. Her compassion, dedication, and positive attitude is what health care is all about. Bedside nursing in LTC definitely needs more staff like Crystal,” Kauley said.
DeMoss recalls a sweet lady who would easily become anxious. All she ever wanted was a hug.
During the woman’s last few days, DeMoss was passing medicine to the residents and would take her along with her.
“We would listen to Christian music because that’s all she wanted to listen to,” DeMoss recalled. “And it would calm her down. She wasn’t anxious. She wasn’t trying to get out of the chair. Everybody knew for those two weeks that she was my girl. Everyone of those residents opens their heart in a different way.
DeMoss has been with Willow Creek for nearly four years and earned her CMA training at Metro Tech in Oklahoma City. She has been a CMA for nearly two years. Her CNA training was at Golden Age Nursing Facility in Guthrie. It is her residents who inspire her loyalty.
“I keep a bond with them,” DeMoss said. “Everyone is a different individual. but I love them,” DeMoss said. “I know their routines, schedules and what they like. I like to make their days as smooth as possible by already knowing what they want. I like my coworkers and my administration is very compassionate.
DeMoss’s example speaks a lot for the longevity of Willow Creek’s staff. Sally Canales, a CMA was recognized and awarded by Willow Creek for achieving 10 years of service. Canales admires the CNA staff’s dedication to compassionate care.
“I love that we are able to experience and give customer service. It’s having that deep connection with other employees. Our connection with our residents is amazing,” Canales said.
And Jessica Smith, CMA/CNA, was awarded for five years of service. Smith said patience is important for CNAs. They need to believe in themselves. Time management is indispensable.
Her favorite moment is seeing residents smile, laughing, and knowing they are cared for, she said. CNAs focus on plans based on the individual needs of residents
“We know to help each other. We are all pretty busy and work together really well,” DeMoss said. “I like that. They are also very hard working — it’s not an easy job. We’re always on the go. You have to be very open minded.”
CNAs often know when something is off with a resident. So, they can tell a nurse when there is a loss of appetite or a lack of normal conversation.
She has witnessed other CNAs spend their own money to purchase a cupcake for a birthday or a cheeseburger when knowing a particular resident loves it.
DeMoss had never had a job before allowing her to improve the lives of people in need. But she felt a calling.
Taking time to make a resident smile for even five seconds is something a worthy CNA does.
“I like creating connections with different people. These are my family and friends now,” DeMoss explained.
She learns about past decades of life. Her favorite question to ask them is what their middle name is.
“A lot of these middle names are quite fancy,” she said. “They like to talk about how they grew up, how their families were. They talk about their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren and how they liked to be at home with their families, but they know they’re in a safe place. And they’re able to open-up and tell us about their lives. And I like hearing their stories.
When she recently returned to Willow Creek after being gone for a week, the residents lit up asking her, “Where have you been? What have you been up to?”
DeMoss shared with each of them what she did each day during her time off.
“They’re my residents. They get bored when I’m not here to talk with them and, I get bored when I’m not here to talk to them,” DeMoss continued.
She’s learned about recipes during the Great Depression when their moms would only have three ingredients to cook with.
“Their mom would make a chocolate pie of chocolate pudding and I always thought it was very interesting,” DeMoss said.
