Situated on the corner of Bullseye Lake Road and Campbell Street in Valparaiso sits an unassuming building. Inside, however, is a kind environment. That’s what Crystal Carlson, director of nursing at Life Care Centers of Valparaiso, believes.
“We have a lot of staff who have been here forever,” Carlson said. “It is one of those places that, once you start here, you don't leave.”
In fact, Carlson felt this welcoming attitude from the minute she entered the building. A feeling she hopes transcends to the residents, families, and staff every day.
“When I walked in for my first interview, three or four people came up to me and asked me if I needed help or if I was waiting for someone,” Carlson said. “In lots of places, people don't acknowledge you like that when you walk in. I knew then that it was just a really friendly atmosphere to come into.”
Carlson began serving others early in her career, but she found her true calling in working with the geriatric population of our community.
“I spent 10 years as a CNA and nurse,” Carlson said. “After a decade of doing that, I wanted to explore what else was out here, and I fell in love with long-term care and the geriatric population.”
Claiming to be an old soul herself, Carlson takes joy in learning about the residents of Life Care Center, hearing their stories, and connecting with them on a personal level.
“'I love old music, movies, and TV shows,” Carlson said. “I can relate to a lot of things that the residents start talking about. It then leads to us hearing about everybody's experiences and what's happened in their life.”
Carlson believes it’s this investment in people that leads to the great work Life Care Center of Valparaiso does within and outside its walls.
“Life Care is really a home,” Carlson said. “It's a home setting–not just for the staff and the residents but for the community.”
To create this home, Carlson and her colleagues get out into the community with various events throughout the year.
“We care for our staff and residents, and we care for everybody that we come into contact with,” Carlson said. “Just the other week we did a soup kitchen at the warming center. How we care for our residents is how we care for the community.”
As director of nursing, Carlson currently supervises 40 nurses throughout the facility. She’s incredibly proud of how her staff worked throughout the pandemic and continues to operate day-to-day.
“Our biggest challenge over the last few years has been COVID,” Carlson said. “The way that everybody really banded together and supported each other was really outstanding.”
When not at work, Carlson loves being outdoors. She and her family love hiking and exploring nature at the Indiana Dunes.
To learn more about the Life Care Center of Valparaiso, please visit its website https://lcca.com/locations/in/valparaiso/ or call (219) 462-1073.