Families Friends
A Newsletter for St. John's Skilled Services November 2018
stjohnsliving.org
“Here I am with people; I am not alone.”
Thriving at St. John’s Green House Homes “I like having my hands dirty,” says Carol Laniak, a resident at St. John’s Green House Homes in Penfield. “I would rather get the cows in at night than bake,” Carol jokes as she describes life growing up on a farm. A native of Avon, New York, Carol eventually moved to Rush after meeting her husband David on a blind date. Carol worked as a nurse at Strong Memorial Hospital before becoming a stay at home mom with two boys. David obtained a successful job at Rochester Gas and Electric, working for 37 years and eventually becoming the Chief Operating Officer. In 1997, Carol’s husband passed away suddenly at the age of 62. For nearly two decades she lived alone, moving into a townhouse with assistance from her companion Lisa Kraft who helped with light housework. Despite the help of family and friends, Carol suffered a devastating fall in her kitchen last spring, breaking her hip. “It just about sent me over the edge,” states Carol. She was admitted to the hospital before being transferred to St. John’s Home for rehabilitation. After a few months in rehab Carol’s son Mark found the St. John’s Green House Homes in Penfield and
Go to stjohnsliving.org/story/carol-laniaksstory/ to read the entire feature. helped move Carol into her new home in July. “It was really difficult at first,” recalls Carol. “Everyone wants to go back home, but the truth is, sometimes you can’t go home.” As Carol adjusted to her new life in her new home, she realized how much her social life began to change from when she was living alone. “Here I am with people; I am not alone,” Carol explains. “We do a lot more here than I would have done at home.” Mark can also attest to Carol’s overall health and well-being since moving. “Before she came here she was living alone and not interacting with people,” states Mark. “If you have in-home care they can drive you places and everything else, but you miss those social interactions, which in my opinion is going to keep you younger longer.” Now at 81 years old, Carol is thriving at St. John’s Green House Homes. She enjoys getting up early and starting her day with a good laugh. “It’s so unusual to have a person that isn’t nice, and usually they don’t stay too long if they aren’t nice,” jokes Carol. “I just love it here.”