Independent Senior Living to Host Open House Oct. 10

Join Us for an Open House Event Friday, October 10 from 1 to 3 pm.

Are you considering a vibrant, independent lifestyle that offers both freedom and community? United Helpers Independent Senior Living invites you to explore what could be your perfect new home at our upcoming open house event.

This is your opportunity to experience firsthand the welcoming atmosphere, modern amenities, and supportive community that makes United Helpers a premier choice for independent senior living. Whether you're beginning to explore your options or actively searching for your next home, our open house provides the perfect setting to discover all we have to offer.

During your visit, you'll enjoy guided tours of our beautifully appointed living spaces, common areas, and community amenities. Our knowledgeable staff will be on hand to answer your questions about our services, lifestyle options, and community programs. Light refreshments will be served throughout the event, giving you a chance to mingle with current residents and fellow visitors in a relaxed, friendly environment.

Discover how United Helpers Independent Senior Living combines the comfort of home with the convenience of community living. From maintenance-free living to engaging social activities, we're committed to supporting your independence while providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

No appointment necessary – simply drop by anytime between 1 pm and 3 pm on Friday, October 10th. We look forward to welcoming you and showing you why so many seniors have chosen to call United Helpers home.

For more information or directions, please contact United Helpers Independent Senior Living at 315-379-1428 or online at www.unitedhelpers.org, where a virtual tour is also available. We can't wait to meet you!

United Helpers Independent Senior Living in Canton

Making New Friends (and maybe new art) at United Helpers Independent Senior Living

CANTON – Sitting in an apartment decorated by her own paintings, Ellen Burns said she’s thinking about taking up painting once again.

Mrs. Burns recently moved into United Helpers Independent Senior Living and among the items she brought with her are her art supplies, though she explains it’s been several years since she’s put a brush to paper and created anything new.

Her husband, Robert Burns lives in a skilled nursing facility nearby. Mrs. Burns said that upkeep on their Potsdam home, as well as loneliness just became too much.

“It was a lot of upkeep. The yard wasn’t huge, but it was big enough,” she said, adding that living on a corner lot also means she has twice as much sidewalk to keep clear of snow and ice during the winter.

“My family helped out a lot, but living alone was getting kind of lonely,” she said. “I talked about making the move with my kids and we decided now was the time.”

Mrs. Burns has been living at Independent Senior Living since July and she said she has no regrets.

“This is a very good place for someone like me to be. You get to make new friends and chances are you’ll even know some of the people who are already here,” she said. “Plus, there are always people to eat dinner, play cribbage or play scrabble with.”

Helping to make the transition even easier has been the staff. The people who are employed here are marvelous, all of them,” she said. “Usually there’s one bad apple in the bunch, but everyone here is great. They’re always smiling and always asking how they can help.”

Without even knowing it, the staff has made a difference. Mrs. Burns said she’s feels “right at home,” and is even considering picking up a paint brush again for the first time in eight years.

As she talks about her artwork, her face lights up recalling the details of some of her paintings; a stack of books visible through a window, an American flag hanging in front of an old farmhouse, or even treasures found in the pockets of her young grandson’s pants.

“I think I’m going to start painting again this winter,” she said. The only question that remains, is what will she paint next? Will it be the deer in the field behind her apartment? Will it be the grand Christmas tree that graces the entrance every year or will it be something else entirely?

At United Helpers Independent Senior Living the possibilities are endless.

An open house is planned for Friday, Oct. 10 from 1 to 3 pm, but if you would like to take a tour before then, reach out to Community Manager Jennifer Dean at (315) 386-4541. A virtual tour is also available at unitedhelpers.org.

Ellen Burns sits inside her apartment next to her “dog” Buddy. Mrs. Burns said the dog was a gift from her husband, after she said she wanted to get another dog, following the loss of their pet. “I don’t have to take him out, he never barks and he’ll be with me until I’m gone,” she said.

 

Potsdam Couple Enjoying Transition to Independent Senior Living

CANTON - A pair of retired educators is learning that the transition from owning a home to living in a smaller space doesn’t have to be as difficult as one may think.

“We just moved out of our home in Potsdam where we lived for more than 60 years,” said Neil Johnson. “I’m not going to say there hasn’t been a period of adjustment, but everyone here has made it easier than we thought it would be.

Mr. Johnson and his wife, Marilyn moved into United Helpers Independent Senior Living in April, although Mr. and Mrs. Johnson said they’re still doing quite a bit of travel back and forth between Canton and Potsdam.

The couple’s home is currently for sale and Mr. Johnson said they’re looking forward to selling their house and really becoming a part of the ISL family.

“We’re really looking forward to getting settled in and becoming more involved with things,” he said. 

Neil and Marilyn Johnson

When asked why they decided to move to United Helpers Independent Senior Living, Mrs. Johnson said they were living in a three-story home. “Our laundry was in the basement and our bedroom was on the second floor. It was just getting to be too much. We already knew some people here and we know some more who are planning to move in.”

The couple’s two children also encouraged them to make the move.

“Our children told us if we didn’t pay the application fee, they would do it for us,” Mr. Johnson said.

The Johnsons said they knew they wanted to stay in the North Country.

“We met in college in Pennsylvania and have been together ever since,” he said. “There’s really nothing of this sort in the area and we really wanted to stay here.”

Mr. Johnson retired as a member of the Physical Education Department at SUNY Potsdam. Mrs. Johnson retired as a member of the Physical Education Department at Clarkson. She even holds the distinction of being the first woman on staff in that department.

As for their favorite thing about living at United Helpers Independent Senior Living, Mr. Johnson only half-jokingly replied, “The evening meal.”

“There has been a couple of times when we’ve had guests and they’ve handled everything perfectly,” Mrs. Johnson said.

On a more serious note, Mr. Johnson said they both really appreciate Community Manager Jennifer Dean and everything she does for all of the members there.

A captain though is only as good as the members of their team, and the Johnsons say that’s part of what makes United Helpers so great.

“They’re very attentive to detail. When you put in a work order for something, you don’t have to wait very long for it to get done and get done right,” Marilyn said. “The staff are all very great about looking after everyone, but the best part about being here is the people who live here do that too.”

If you or a loved one are looking to downsize, perhaps United Helpers Independent Senior Living could be for you. An open house will be held there on Friday, June 13 from 1 to 3 pm. Come and meet Mrs. Dean, tour the property, meet a few members, and even enjoy some cookies and lemonade.

United Helpers Independent Senior Living is located at 30 Sullivan Drive in Canton. To learn more, please call (315) 379-1428 or visit www.unitedhelpers.org. 

Clarkson Partners with United Helpers Independent Senior Living for Fall Prevention Program

CANTON – Occupational Therapy students from Clarkson University have teamed up with United Helpers Independent Senior Living to introduce a fall prevention program.

According to the National Safety Council, falls are the leading cause of injuries amongst people 65 and older, with one in four reporting at least one fall each year.

The program began with a fall prevention presentation a few weeks ago and concluded last week when students returned to the building to perform a series of balance assessments with members interested in participating in the program.

Seven first-year students participated with approximately 10 members from the building taking part.

“For our students this is almost like a final exam for them,” said Brittany DiSalvo, who is a professor in the Occupational Therapy Department. “We’re finishing up our year with some hands-on learning.”

One of those students was Lauren Engel, of Charlotte, NC. 

Occupational therapy student Jordyn Whitton works
with Professor Brittany DiSalvo and United Helpers
 Independent Senior Living member Jane Daby. 

“This is our first time getting to work with people from the community,” she said. “Earlier in the spring we did a fall prevention program and this is kind of piggybacking off of that. I feel like we’re teaching them something, but they’re also teaching us too.”

“We’re hoping to come back in the fall with a new group of students,” Mrs. DiSalvo said. “There’s so much we could do and we’d like to explore other areas of functional performance for this group while focusing on keeping them safe, strong, and independent. We are looking to enhance this partnership and become more of a familiar face in the facility.”

While Mrs. DiSalvo said she’s not sure what next year’s students will do with the members, she did say she’s looking forward to working with the people at United Helpers Independent Senior Living again.

“Projects like this are great,” she said. “Working with individuals in the community provide the students with hands-on experiences, things that a textbook just cannot teach.”

Linda Buchanan, a long-time ISL member said she very much enjoyed having the students come in. She attended both their verbal presentation, as well as the hands-on session, where she completed each of the balance assessments.

“I was very impressed with their presentation. The students all did a great job. As we get a little bit older this is very important information to have,” she said.

Some of the assessments included reaching forward, both while sitting and standing, standing up from a seated position, standing with their eyes closed, picking an object up off of the floor, and stepping onto and off of a stool.

“The assessments completed in this experience serve as an indicator for assessing fall risk among this population. Our students can use the results and the information gathered today to address the individual’s deficits while overall focusing on keeping everyone safe,” Mrs. DiSalvo said.

Former Snowbird Credits ISL Move for Preserving Quality of Life

CANTON – A former snowbird who decided he no longer wanted to travel back and forth between Florida and the North Country said he’s thankful for this move to United Helpers Independent Senior Living. In fact, both he and his children credit the move for possibly preserving the quality of life he’s able to continue enjoying today.

John Snell, formerly of Parishville, was speaking on the phone with his daughter, Kathleen Reagan, when something didn’t seem right. Mrs. Reagan noticed too. 

John Snell with his daughter, Kathleen Reagan

“We went from having a normal conversation to him not being able to put a sentence together and he said he wasn’t sure what was happening,” Mrs. Reagan recalled, adding she then hung up the phone with her father and called Community Housing Manager Jennifer Dean, who ran down to his room. 911 was called and it was determined that Mr. Snell was having a stroke.

The quick response from Mrs. Dean and the Canton Rescue Squad enabled Mr. Snell to begin receiving treatment almost immediately, helping to preserve his quality of life and limit the stroke’s impact.

Prior to his move into United Helpers Independent Senior Living Mr. Snell was living on his own. “My wife passed seven years ago and most of my friends have passed on too,” he said. “I would have been in Florida by myself and who knows how this would have turned out,” he said.

It was that sense of loneliness that led Mr. Snell to the ISL. “My daughters had mentioned it two or three times and then one day on my own I came to check it out and thought, that doesn’t look so bad,” he recalled.

Mr. Snell was living along Higley Flow during the spring and summer, while spending the colder months in Florida.

“I just wanted to have one place. I didn’t want to travel back and forth anymore and it just wasn’t practical to stay here by myself in the winter,” he said.

Since moving into the ISL, Mr. Snell said he has made several friends and also reconnected with some people he hadn’t seen in a long time.

“It was a big move, but I’m glad I made it,” he said. “Everything here is perfect. The staff, the residents, the cook, the custodian. They’re all very nice and there is a tremendous sense of community. When I got back from the hospital everyone was checking on me to see how I was doing and there were a lot of people willing to help me with anything I needed.”

If you’re interested in learning more about United Helpers Independent Senior Living, an open house will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 14. A virtual tour may also be taken at www.unitedhelpers.org or a private tour may be scheduled by calling (315) 379-1428.

Independent Senior Living Celebrating 25 Years of Retirement the Way it Should be; Open House Coming Soon!

Program members share a hug during a recent cornhole tournament held at the building.

 By Benny Fairchild

CANTON – As United Helpers was in the midst of celebrating its 100^th anniversary, a new venture joined the family, when was then known as Partridge Knoll opened its doors.

To this day, the property now known as United Helpers Independent Senior Living remains St. Lawrence County’s only retirement community. 

United Helpers Independent Senior Living

Spread out across more than 2.5 acres just outside the village of Canton rests this piece of Adirondack paradise. Whether it’s the stone fireplace that greets you upon arrival or the aroma’s emanating from the kitchen, whatever it is that draws you in today has been attracting people to the property since 1998 when it first opened its doors.

Apartments on the backside of the building offer beautiful woodland views, while apartments on the front of the building offer quick and easy access to your vehicle which can be parked only steps away.

United Helpers Independent Senior Living offers a wide variety of apartment styles with both one and two-bedroom options available.

Jazz ensemble performing for members

There’s always something to do, whether it’s playing cards with your neighbors, enjoying a concert, an outing, or perhaps some wine and cheese, but if you would prefer to enjoy a book or puzzle in your apartment, that’s OK too.

If you would like to take a glimpse into just how great your retirement can be, Independent Senior Living will be hosting an open house on Friday, June 16 from 1-3 p.m. Private tours may also be scheduled by calling (315) 379-1428. A virtual tour is available at www.unitedhelpers.org.

A beautiful gazebo, constructed by students from BOCES in 2022, adorns the property allowing members to sit comfortably, enjoy the wildlife and take in some fresh air.

Former Board Member & Wife Enjoying Life at United Helpers Independent Senior Living

CANTON – Like many couples or individuals moving into United Helpers Independent Senior Living, Bob and Betty Fraser said it was their children who encouraged them to move into United Helpers Independent Senior Living (ISL).

Mr. Fraser said that while he and his wife are both happy with the decision now, Mrs. Fraser took a little more convincing.

“The decision to move out of your family home is a big one,” she said. “We had lived there for more than 40 years.”

However, after the couple, who recently celebrated their 70^th wedding anniversary, moved to the ISL, they said it didn’t take them long to realize they had made the right decision.

“It’s nice to be in a place like this where we don’t have to worry about anything,” Mr. Fraser said. “Plus, being a frugal Scotsman I enjoy having everything taken care of, and not having to worry about taxes anymore.”

Mrs. Fraser said she was surprised at how many people they knew who were already living there once they moved in. As for the people they didn’t know, she said it didn’t take them long to meet people and make some new friends.

Mr. Fraser, who spent time on the United Helpers Management Company Board of Directors in the 1980’s and early 90’s said he can remember discussions about building what was then known as Partridge Knoll.

Ironically, he said he can also recall his wife telling former ISL Community Manager Cindy Lawrence that she didn’t think they would ever live there. She told them they may one day be surprised. Turns out she was right. Mrs. Lawrence retired in 2021.

United Helpers Independent Senior Living offers a variety of apartment styles, with both one and two-bedroom units available. To take a virtual tour of the building, please visit unitedhelpers.org and click on the link for virtual tours.

An in-person tour may also be arranged by calling (315) 379-1428.

Bob and Betty Fraser share a moment in their apartment at United Helpers Independent Senior Living. Mr. and Mrs. Fraser recently celebrated their 70^th anniversary, and are seen here looking through a memory book together.

Love at First Sight Brings New Couple to United Helpers Independent Senior Living

 CANTON – It was love at first sight for Frank Carter and Jeanette Rose when they visited United Helpers Independent Senior Living (ISL) in Canton for a tour earlier this year.

“We were talking about our future and we wanted to take a look at it (ISL) to see if it was affordable, if we liked it, and what was available,” Mr. Carter said. “We figured we were still two or three years out, but we took a tour and fell in love with the place. They had an opening and we took it.”

Upon moving into the ISL in May, Mrs. Rose said she was surprised at how many people lived in the building that she already knew. “It was amazing,” she said. “We’ve only been here a short time, but we already feel very much at home.”

Mr. Carter said part of what makes the adjustment so easy is the socialization with other members.

“It’s very smart what they do with dinner here seven nights a week,” he said, referring to the restaurant-style dining offered at the ISL each night. “It gets everyone out of their rooms and gives us all a chance to get to know each other.”

Mr. Carter and Mrs. Rose also said they have enjoyed many of the building’s other activities including, bingo, corn hole, wine and cheese gatherings, or simply enjoying some fresh air from the new gazebo located on the property’s impressive back yard.

Mrs. Rose also said she had enjoyed decorating the entryway to their apartment, something that many other members also do. “I love decorating, so I’ve really enjoyed decorating our entryway, as well as seeing what everybody else does with theirs,” she said.

Before making a decision on whether or not the ISL is right for you, Mr. Carter said people should compare their expenses now to what they would be upon moving into the ISL. “It may not be as far off as you think,” he said.

“We are certainly not extravagant people,” he said, explaining that while rent at the ISL is a “little more” than what they were paying in expenses before, the convenience of one monthly payment, along with the property’s other benefits make it well worthwhile.

United Helpers Independent Senior Living offers a variety of apartment styles, with both one and two bedroom units available. To take a virtual tour of the building, please visit unitedhelpers.org and click on the link for virtual tours.

An in-person tour may also be arranged by calling (315) 379-1428.

Frank Carter and his wife, Jeanette Rose enjoy the outdoors from the new gazebo located in the back yard at United Helpers Independent Senior Living. A virtual tour of the facility is available online at unitedhelpers.org or an in-person tour may be scheduled by calling (315) 379-1428.

BOCES Students Build Gazebo for United Helpers Independent Senior Living

CANTON – Sitting in the dining room at United Helpers Independent Senior Living, or looking out the windows of an apartment on the back side of the building, one could be treated to amazing views that could include fall foliage, flowers in a raised garden bed, or even deer wandering through the property. However for Community Housing Manager Jennifer Dean, something had always been missing…

That is until now. Thanks to a group of students from the Building & Trades program at St. Lawrence-Lewis’ BOCES Seaway Tech campus in Norwood, program members at United Helpers Independent Senior Living now have a gazebo to call their own.

The gazebo, according to Mrs. Dean, not only give program members a place to sit and enjoy the outdoors, but overall enhances the beauty of the site. 

Jen Dean and Tim Parsons celebrate the ribbon cutting.

“One of the things I’ve wanted to work on since becoming manager was enhancing the landscaping outside, so the beauty of our property outdoors matches the beauty of the building itself,” she said.

United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons said the gazebo was built by students, with United Helpers covering the cost of materials.

“With the amount of labor that goes into building something like this, a gazebo is something that would have been difficult for us to fit into the budget, but thanks to these students and their teachers, the program members now have something to enjoy for many years to come,” he said.

Building and Trades Instructor Lawrence Ashley said eight students from Canton, Massena, Colton-Pierrepont, and Parishville-Hopkinton spent two hours a day working on the project for nearly a month with more than 200 total hours of work going into the final product.

“This was a unique project for us because it is an octagon,” he said. “That means these weren’t your typical 90 degree cuts. Instead we had to do 22.5 degree cuts, which had to be incredibly precise in order for everything to fit together and make 360 degrees.”

Mr. Ashley said the students built the entire gazebo and then cut it in half to transport it to United Helpers for final assembly.

“They showed a degree of professionally beyond what would be expected of students by pre-drilling the wood, so the floor, hand railings, and ceiling would not crack or split,” he said. “The students took great pride in knowing this project would benefit residents of United Helpers.”

Students from the Building and Trades Program at St. Lawrence-Lewis’ Seaway Tech Career Center recently dropped off the gazebo they had built for program members at United Helpers Independent Senior Living. Given the size of the structure, it had to be cut in half and reassembled after being dropped into place. From left, Building and Trades Instructor Lawrence Ashley, Wyatt Colton, of Colton-Pierrepont Central School, Josh Hall, of Massena Central School, Building and Trades Teaching Assistant Michael Rodenhouse, and United Helpers Community Housing Manager Jennifer Dean.

United Helpers Independent Senior Living to Hold Open House

CANTON - United Helpers Independent Senior Living will hold an open house on Friday, June 24th from 1-3 pm. 

If you or a loved one is thinking about retirement living, you owe it to yourself to call United Helpers Independent Senior Living today to schedule your tour time. Staff will be on hand to provide scheduled tours and free refreshments will be served.

Retirement living means something different to everyone. Whatever your definition, the best place to retire remains the same. 

At United Helpers Independent Senior Living, members enjoy the luxury of a private home while nestled within a safe community. Your freedom is all your own. We’re just here to lend a hand.

For more information, or to schedule a private tour, please call 315-379-1428 or visit United Helpers Independent Senior Living virtually online at www.unitedhelpers.org.  

Past United Helpers Board Member Enjoying Life at Independent Senior Living

CANTON – Charlie Owens remembers when United Helpers Independent Senior Living (ISL) was nothing more than a set of blue prints laid out on a table before the Management Company Board of Directors.

The facility, originally known as Partridge Knoll, was built in 1999 and to this day remains St. Lawrence County’s only retirement home for seniors. Mr. Owens, who has resided at ISL since 2019, was on the board of directors during the project’s planning stages. 

Charlie Owens

“We wanted to fill a need in the community for quality senior housing in a setting where seniors could feel both safe and comfortable while enjoying their golden years,” he said.

While Mr. Owens was supportive of the project, at that time he never quite envisioned himself living there. “I’ve lived in Gouverneur most of my life, and my wife and I had a beautiful camp on the St. Lawrence River. To be honest, I never really gave it much thought,” he said.

However in 2019 his wife Hi passed away, and his children suggested that he sell his home and find a place where could live without being by himself most of the time.

“They really pushed me to not stay alone,” he said. “So I made the decision to sell the house and our camp. I knew a number of people who were living there, so that helped quite a bit with the transition.”

Mr. Owens said he enjoys his independence, while also having the opportunity to dine with friends each night.

“It’s a very relaxed atmosphere. We’re free during the day to pretty much to what we please. Then at night we all gather together for dinner,” he said. “The people are nice and the food is great.”

In addition to dining together each night, Mr. Owens said many of building’s members also get together for coffee each morning. “This really is a pretty unique place. I don’t know of any other operation quite like it,” he said. “It’s like living in an apartment building full of your friends.”

United Helpers Independent Senior Living offers a variety of apartment styles, with both one and two bedroom units available. To take a virtual tour of the building, please visit unitedhelpers.org and click on the link for virtual tours.

An in-person tour may also be arranged by calling (315) 379-1428.

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.

Potsdam Man Able to be Closer to His Wife After Moving Into ISL

CANTON – Two years ago Lynn Warden’s wife, Shirley moved into the skilled nursing wing at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton. The move left Mr. Warden alone in the home the couple had shared for more than 50 years.

Lynn Warden

Following his wife’s move, Mr. Warden, a retired state trooper, said his children began encouraging him to find a smaller place closer to their mother where he wouldn’t have to be alone most of the time, and have to worry about everyday things like mowing the lawn, preparing meals or clearing the driveway.

“I had heard about this place (United Helpers Independent Senior Living, formerly Partridge Knoll), and if I ever had to go somewhere this is where I wanted to go, but honestly I didn’t want to leave my home,” he said. 

Looking back though on his move, Mr. Warden acknowledges now that his children were correct. “When you’re here you don’t have to worry about mowing the lawn or snow blowing the driveway. It means a lot to have that stuff taken care of. It’s nice to have a break from those things that you’ve been doing your whole life.”

Mr. Warden also said he enjoys having dinner prepared for him each night.

“I never enjoyed preparing my own meals and the dinners here are fantastic,” he said, adding he also enjoys coffee hour each morning with a group of “15 or so” other members.

Mostly though, Mr. Warden said he enjoys being closer to his wife and once again having an active social life.

“I was driving 30 miles round trip each day, almost every day, so having her next door is very convenient,” he said, noting that while he usually goes to visit her, there have even been times when his wife has been able to come visit him.

Mr. Warden resides in a one-bedroom apartment at United Helpers Independent Senior Living, but amongst the building’s 38 apartments are a variety of both one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment styles, which he said are all very nice.

“These rooms are really nice, but the people really are something else, and that starts right at the top with Cindy (Community Housing Manager Cindy Lawrence) and Jenn (Housing Assistant Jennifer Dean). When you see them or any of the other employees here in the hall, it’s not just a “hello,” they actually stop and have a conversation with you.”

The building’s other residents have also made him feel at home.

“The people who live here are very nice,” he said. “It’s like a family. These people are my family now.”

Mr. Warden has been busy preparing his home in Potsdam to be sold, so he said he hasn’t yet had the opportunity to participate in a lot of the activities held at the building, but he said once his home is sold and he has more free time that’s something he’s hoping to do.

“I do look at the activities calendar every month, and if there isn’t something on that list you enjoy, I don’t know what to tell you. The activities here are really unlimited,” he said. Activities each month range from musical entertainment to shopping trips, card games, educational presentations, community outings and more.

“Anyone would be fortunate to get in here. The place really sells itself,” he said.

Mr. Warden also said he would like to caution people against getting sticker shock when advised of the monthly rates.

“I was paying property taxes, utilities and having to prepare my own meals,” he said. “When you look at all of that, it isn’t too bad, and that doesn’t even include not having to worry about maintenance anymore,” he said. “You certainly are getting what you pay for.”

To schedule a tour or learn more about United Helpers Independent Senior Living, including how you can get on the waiting list, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org or give them a call at (315) 379-1428. You may also like United Helpers on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/unitedhelpers.