Kristen Gabriele Named Co-Worker of the Month at Orchard Heights Assisted Living Residence  The co-workers and residents of Orchard Heights, Inc. Assisted Living & Memory Care Residence recently named Fine Dining Server Kristen Gabriele "Co-Worker of the Month." Kristen has worked at Orchard Heights since 2006. She has a positive attitude, a warm smile, and an exemplary team spirit. Kristen truly cares for Orchard Heights residents. As part of the award, she will receive one paid day off, a $50 gift certificate, and her own parking place.

Culinary Director Jen Giardina commented that Kristen "really dotes on our residents. She pays great attention to detail and suggests improvements. In fact, she enjoys her work here so much that she convinced a friend to work here, too." Kristen is a graduate of Orchard Park High School and plans to study architecture at the University of Buffalo. She enjoys reading, writing creative stories, running, and going to the beach.

David Tuczynski, Maintenance Director

Maintenance Care at Orchard Heights

The maintenance staff at Orchard Heights Adult Care Residence in Orchard Park, New York is actively involved in all aspects of the building’s mechanical operations and overall safety.  Checking the electrical, heating, cooling, and plumbing systems with a scheduled preventative maintenance program helps avoid any prolonged breakdowns.  Fire safety inspections of fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, and the backup electrical system by certified technicians can assure families that their loved ones will be safe at our facility. 

The safety of our residents and staff is the number one priority in our residence.  We keep a constant vigil by performing daily rounds that help us avoid problems.  The Maintenance Director holds a monthly safety meeting with a safety committee representing staff members from each department.  At these meetings we discuss potential safety hazards, their remedies, and accident prevention.  We all work together to create a safe living and working environment.

Our Maintenance Staff also provides resident care.  We move residents into their rooms and make sure that they are comfortable.  We hang pictures, adjust the furniture to their liking, or just talk with the residents.   A little welcome chat goes a long way to help new residents feel that they belong. 

The Maintenance Director often attends the men’s luncheon to talk about things like sports, hunting, fishing, or residents did for a living.  Women residents are especially conscientious of their needs; helping them make room adjustments really helps them feel at home.

The Maintenance Department at Orchard Heights is at hand for all your needs.  From small repairs to large repairs, everyday personal needs, or just to bend an ear, our guests and their families can be assured that they are safe, comfortable, and respected at Orchard Heights.

Words of Praise for Orchard Heights Co-Workers

“Staff, We would like to thank all of you for your kind thoughts, wishes, and prayers during this difficult time, as well as the flowers.  We really appreciate how all of you took care of and watched over Don while he was there.  We were able to see the caring you always gave him.  He mentioned it often while he was there.  We will keep you in our prayers!  Thank you again, God Bless.”

“Dear Paula: I want to thank you for all your help taking care of my father over the last year.  You were always willing to take care of my requests, even when they were probably outside your responsibilities.  Across the board, I found the people at Orchard Heights are willing to help residents and families have a positive experience, and I know that culture beings with the examples set by management.  Our family is very appreciative of the time my father was able to enjoy at Orchard Heights.” –Daughter of an Orchard Heights Resident