Our Founders

About Independent You’s Founder & CEO, Mary Beth Crosson

The idea for Independent You started back in 2008, shortly after my grandmother passed away. She had lived independently in her home until she was 92 years old but after a fall resulting in a broken hip, she had to be moved into a nursing home. It was extremely difficult for my grandmother to move from a home that she had been living in for over 50 years. After she moved into the nursing home, her happiest days were when I would come to take her out. Sometimes we would go to the mall and get lunch. Other times we would simply go for a stroll around the nursing home grounds. There were also trips to the doctor, dentist or drug store and my grandmother loved it when we would stop for ice cream. My happiness came from knowing that I was helping my grandmother and that I was making her happy.

I have lived most of my life in the Northern Virginia area. I grew up in the area and attended school here. My husband and I met in 1993 and after dating for several years, married and have two wonderful children. My family resides in the Fairfax Station area. In my early 20s, I volunteered for Lighthouse for the Blind. I believe it is there where my love of helping seniors started. I was paired with a client who suffered from Macular Degeneration, which caused her to have limited vision. My client, Agnes and I went numerous places together. I took Agnes to the grocery store, to the ceramic store, to the drug store; anywhere she wanted or needed to go. At Christmas, the retirement home in which Agnes lived had a door decorating contest. Each year Agnes and I would purchase an assortment of decorations for her door and spend hours decorating it. She took great pride in having an award winning door. Agnes and I both benefited greatly from our relationship.

Prior to be married and having children, I worked in the insurance industry. After my children were born I became a stay-at-home mother and began more volunteer work. I have volunteered as vice president and president of school PTO, room parent, playground monitor, yearbook editor. However, my favorite place to offer my assistance is with the elderly. I have been a Meals On Wheels driver for over five years.

Independent You allows me to do what I love, helping seniors and hopefully in the process, enriching their lives. I hope that you will allow us to extend a helping hand to you or a loved one to live a more independent life. Give us a call to let us know how we can help you.

Sincerely,
Mary Beth Crosson
Founder of Independent You

Independent You Co-Founder & Executive Director of Clinical Services, Joanne S. McCarty, RN, BSN, CMC

Joanne was born and raised in Glen Cove, New York. She graduated from Adelphi University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and completed classes towards a Masters in Nursing Administration at New York University (NYU).

While living in NYC, Joanne worked at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in a telemetry/cardiac step-down unit. She worked as a staff nurse at first and then was promoted to the Nurse Manager position.

After Joanne and her husband Les relocated to Fairfax, Virginia, Joanne became the Nurse Manager of the Post Coronary Care Unit (PCCU) at George Washington University Hospital. While at GW she assisted in the merging of two units to form the Intermediate Cardiac Care Unit, which combined the PCCU and a thoracic surgical unit.

Realizing that home healthcare was the wave of the future, Joanne became the Managing Director of Firstat Nursing Services (a pediatric homecare agency).

While raising her children Maryn (now 23), Owen (21) and Erin (17), Joanne served as a substitute nurse at her children’s school to keep her nursing passion alive.

With her parents both being involved in the medical field (her father was a doctor and her mother a nurse) Joanne knew from a young age that she wanted to be a nurse. Joanne, who has been with Independent You since 2013, brings her dedication to nursing to her position as the Director of Nursing/Care Manager. She is involved in the national association for Aging Life Care Professionals, ALCA. Joanne is the local NOVA unit co-chair, serves on the Mid-Atlantic Board and Membership Committee.