Scozzafava Right at Home at United Helpers ISL

CANTON – The decision to move out of one’s family home and into an apartment is never an easy one to make, but for most people the time comes when it’s a decision that has to be made.

Marilyn Scozzafava, of Gouverneur, made that decision earlier this year when she moved into United Helpers Independent Senior Living (ISL) in Canton. She said she has no regrets. Her daughter, Dierdre “Dede” Scozzafava said the same thing.

“I am very pleased,” Mrs. Scozzafava said, as she sat in a recliner in the living room of her new home. After only spending a few weeks at the ISL, Mrs. Scozzafava said she realized she was right where she needed to be following a visit back to her home in Gouverneur, where she had lived for the past 50 years. 

Marilyn Scozzafava and her daughter, Diedre "Dede."

“It was difficult to watch people doing things there differently than how I would have done them,” she said. “Then when Dede brought me back here, it felt like I was returning home.”

Ms. Scozzafava said knowing that her mother was happy provided a great deal of relief, both for her and her siblings.

“When she walked in that night and said she felt like she was at home, I was relieved,” Ms. Scozzafava recalled. “As children you’re happy when you’re parents are happy.”

Mrs. Scozzafava said the decision to move to the ISL came as she realized that she could no longer do many of the things she used to enjoy.

“My husband had passed away and I had developed arthritis. And here I was living in a three story home,” she said. “I love gardening and I love flowers, but I realized, I just couldn’t do it anymore. I said, ‘The time has come for me to give up this home I love.’”

One of the first things she noticed upon moving into her new home was several raised garden beds around the property, including one that she can see from the windows in her living room.

“I saw those flower beds and said, ‘that’s going to be my first project,’” she said.

As for the other perks of residing at United Helpers Independent Senior Living, Mrs. Scozzafava said she’s really enjoying the restaurant-style dining.

“The food here is excellent,” she said. “I never really ate soup before, but now I won’t go a day without it.”

Mrs. Scozzafava also said she has enjoyed the monthly wine and cheese tasting event.

“I won’t be missing too many of those,” she said with a laugh.

She said she is looking forward to participating in more of the building’s activities once she “gets settled in.”

Events held on a regular basis include games, craft projects, outings, and even on-site musical events.

“Everyone I’ve met so far has been really nice,” she said. “I’m looking forward to getting settled in, participating in more of what the building has to offer, and meeting some more great people.”

United Helpers Independent Senior Living is located at 30 Sullivan Drive in Canton, offering a variety of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment styles, with some units currently available.

A virtual tour of the building is available on the Independent Senior Living section of the United Helpers website. Visit, www.unitedhelpers.org or call (315) 379-1428 to learn more.