Housekeeper at The Manor at York Town, Sharon Schmidt, greatly enjoys developing relationships with residents and helping them live a carefree lifestyle. Sharon has been working in retirement living communities for seven years and began her experience working in Community Life. “I was an activities director for a local retirement community, and when I first began my role there I knew that working with older adults was where my heart belonged,” she reflects.

After several years of experience in Community Life, Sharon desired different opportunities and became a companion for an older adult through COVID-19. “Sadly, my client passed away and I was at a crossroads of what to do with my career,” she explains. “I knew I wanted to get back to working in retirement communities, but I didn’t know exactly how,” she adds.

Sharon Finds the Manor at York Town

Sharon had worked with The Manor’s Director of Facilities, Bill McDonald, in past years, and Bill reached out to Sharon with the perfect opportunity. “Bill asked if I would be interested in becoming a housekeeper at The Manor. At first, I thought I’ve never done anything like this before, but I was desiring a good work-life balance and Bill had indicated that this role would be a great fit,” says Sharon.

With Sharon’s passion for retirement living, she thought this would be a great way to return to a community setting. “I am also not a desk job person. I like to be active and make connections with people, and the more I thought about this position, the more I knew it was perfect for me,” she says.

As Housekeeper, Sharon ensures a beautiful and clean community for residents at The Manor. She enjoys providing a carefree lifestyle as she eliminates the worry of cleaning for residents throughout their retired years. In addition to cleaning residents’ apartments, Sharon helps keep The Manor’s common areas clean and safe like the Great Room, Club Room, Café, Beauty Shop, and Fitness Center.

Making Connections and Building Trust

Sharon says that building trust is one of the most important responsibilities within her role. “As housekeepers, we are in residents’ apartment homes each day, and there has to be trust in order for that to happen,” she affirms. “That’s why it is so important to develop relationships with residents and truly connect with them on a personal level,” she adds.

For Sharon, developing relationships with residents allows her to provide them with a worry-free living experience. “As I get to know residents, I begin to learn their preferences. The more I get to know them, the more I am able to give them a more personable experience and make their lives more carefree,” she explains.

As Sharon builds trust and empowers residents to lead fulfilling lifestyles, she thoroughly enjoys working alongside her dedicated team members. “The team members I work with are so supportive and always willing to help. The leadership team here is just amazing. I’ve worked in retirement communities before, and The Manor is the most warm and welcoming community I’ve ever experienced.”