Sharon Daring has worked at ManorCare Health Services – West Allen (PA) for over 20 years. She started her career in the memory care unit as a CNA. When Sharon’s mother, father and sister were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it became challenging to not only care for her family members but also the patients and residents at the center. She decided to work in housekeeping to still be there for the patients and residents, just in a different role.

Sharon has a personal connection to the Alzheimer’s Association, as her mother, father and sister all passed away with Alzheimer’s disease. This created a strong desire for her to do whatever she could to help the Alzheimer’s Association in its search for a cure. Sharon got involved with the Alzheimer’s Association 7 years ago after her father passed away. She has been a long-time participant in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in the Lehigh Valley community.

Due to the pandemic last year, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s became a virtual event. Sharon participated in the virtual walk and honored her loved ones, patients and residents by walking laps around the center. She also saved all of her overtime to donate $5,806 to the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Sharon received two awards from the Alzheimer’s Association along with a letter from Lori Wehr, walk manager at Alzheimer’s Association. She received the 2020 Top Frontline Hero and the 2020 Top National Team. In the letter, Lori stated, 

“Our Frontline Hero award was given to only one recipient in 2020 and was a special recognition that had never been awarded before. Your efforts to support the Walk while working on the front lines makes you truly a hero.”

"After suffering a stroke while at work, I was hospitalized for approximately five weeks where I needed to relearn how to use my arms and legs. I discharged from the hospital to my cousin’s home. I needed to adjust to living in someone else’s home and often felt I had lost my independence and privacy. With a lot of encouragement from my family, I was able to move into my own apartment after living with my cousin for a year.

Unfortunately, while living on my own, I collapsed and was hospitalized. During my hospital stay Dr. Martin referred me to ManorCare Health Services - West Allen. Initially I questioned the need for skilled nursing care. I remember that I was very scared, and I prayed a lot. While receiving post-acute care at ManorCare - West Allen, I worked with the therapy team to improve my strength, coordination and balance.

Upon completion of my therapy I felt empowered to complete my self-care independently.  While I have family that want me to come live with them, I like my independence and privacy and respect theirs as well. For that reason, I chose to make ManorCare – West Allen my home about five years ago.  I look forward to someday returning to my own apartment but for now living at ManorCare gives me piece-of-mind. I anticipate the day the pandemic is over, and we can all enjoy the world again. But for now, I feel I’m in the safest place in the world.

I definitely recommend ManorCare - West Allen mainly because of the skilled nursing and therapy care." - Carolyn, ManorCare Resident