Sedgwick Heights resident Daniel is helping change the way people think about assisted living.
He stands tall at over six feet and has a voice that doesn’t need a microphone to command attention, which he uses to his advantage as a leader in the Sedgwick Heights community as the president of the resident council.
“I enjoy meeting new people and helping people, and as president, I help new people adjust to living in an assisted living community. Many new residents think that it’s a nursing home, and it’s not. You live independently and get help when you need it. It’s that simple.”
He has been a Sedgwick Heights resident for nearly four years, and in addition to serving as president, he also runs the community store. Born and raised in Liverpool, New York, Daniel worked as a grocery store meat manager at P&C and then Price Chopper for over 30 years.
“When I was 21 years old, I was in a bad car accident. Because of the accident, I have nerve damage, which causes me to lose balance and sometimes fall if I’m not careful. While living at home, I broke my spine twice, my hip, my femur, and finally, my daughter said, ‘It’s time to find somewhere safer for you to live.’ She likes that I have support here in case I need it.”
Today, you can find Daniel walking through the halls having conversations with friends, leading a resident council meeting, stocking up the community store, and occasionally playing guitar with his friends in one of the community rooms. He also spends time out in the community with family and friends.
When asked what he likes most about assisted living, Daniel says it’s the family-oriented atmosphere. “There are a lot of people here, and we are all family. You would be surprised how many people don’t have anyone, and we become their family. There aren’t many places you can say that. That is what I want people to know about living in an assisted living community. You are not alone. When you live here, you become a part of our Sedgwick family, and we are in this together.”
To learn more about Loretto’s Assisted Living Program, visit Assisted Living | Loretto