In her journey as a caregiver, Katernia has touched many hearts and truly made a difference. She has a deep commitment to going above and beyond, as seen in her thoughtful approach to end-of-life care, where she provided comfort to a client and their family during a challenging time. Katernia's story serves as a reminder of how every act of care, no matter how small, can make a lasting impact.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A CAREGIVER?
I have been a caregiver for 30 years.
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BECOME A CAREGIVER?
I’ve always had a heart full of love, compassion, empathy, and sympathy. Most of all, I love what I do. It’s truly a gift from God to be able to care for individuals from all walks of life, and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity.
WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR JOB ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT?
I’m most passionate and driven by a deep sense of satisfaction and a desire to make a difference. I’m committed to building strong bonds and providing care with a serving heart to those in need.
HOW ARE YOU MAKING THINGS MORE POSSIBLE FOR YOUR BRIGHTSTAR CLIENTS?
I’m making things more possible for BrightStar clients by making their time more enjoyable, full of love and laughter. I aim to get them to a place where they feel loved, respected, and still maintain as much independence as possible.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER CAREGIVERS?
I would like every caregiver to treat each individual with dignity, love, and respect, honoring their wishes and supporting their desire to live a longer life. Caregiving can be challenging, but it is very rewarding when we go beyond our duties to provide exceptional care.
HOW DO YOU RE-ENERGIZE?
I re-energize myself by finding a quiet space to meditate and reflect on the good deeds and well-being of others.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CAREGIVER MOMENT OR STORY?
I can remember taking care of a client who had lung cancer. As her body weakened and she declined slowly, I was reminded that we never know what the future holds. I continued to care for her, working alongside her family to make her comfortable. I knew the time was near when she began to struggle for breath, and I told the family, "I believe in miracles, but this time I know it’s time to say goodbye." As I wiped the tears from my eyes, I witnessed her take her last breath. The family thanked me, and as they said my shift was over, I responded, "When the mortuary speaks her up, my shift is over." As I was leaving, they asked for my contact number and said my assignment wasn’t up yet, so they paid me until that assignment ended. This experience taught me that we never know where our blessings will come from, so it's important to be mindful of the care we give and always lead by example.
We are honored to have Katernia McCraney on the BrightStar Care of Conejo Valley and Coastal Los Angeles team, and we’re grateful for the love and dedication they bring to their role every day.
Congratulations on being recognized as Employee of the Month!