Dawn Brocious knows firsthand what it’s like to balance caring for an ill loved one with housework, groceries and other responsibilities. In 2009, her son, Matthew, was severely injured in an all-terrain vehicle accident. Brocious helped him get back on his feet and advocated for health and disability services for him.
Now, Brocious, who lives in Clay, is putting her experience to help seniors stay independent. In late January, she launched Break of Day Concierge and Errand Service to lend a hand to senior citizens and their caregivers.
“It’s important for seniors to maintain their independence — it makes them feel good,” Brocious said. “[I’m doing] whatever I can do to help make life easier for the seniors and their loved ones.”
That includes grocery shopping, meal preparation, event planning and navigating health and social services.
“A lot of times, people are scared to deal with forms and government agencies,” Brocious said. “I know that firsthand — I did it.”
After the accident, Brocious helped Matthew navigate Medicaid and Social Security disability benefits. She’s also versed in Medicare.
When she worked for the town of Clay, many of the citizens Brocious met were seniors who had questions about filling out forms or finding services within the town.
Break of Day isn’t just for seniors, but is also there to assist the families who care for them. She hopes to provide respite for caregivers by taking care of the little things that pile up.
“Dealing with my son’s accident and his disability, I know how overwhelming it can be, having so many things to take care of [along] with your job and your personal life,” Brocious said. “Taking care of someone is exhausting and the stress level is high. … I want people to spend more time with the people they love instead of worrying about ‘I’ve got to get groceries.’”
When it comes to the digital side of starting her own business, Brocious has experienced a bit of a learning curve. She has built a website and is beginning to venture out into social media.
“I’m working on that — it’s pretty challenging for me,” she said.
Luckily for Brocious, there are plenty of area resources for new business owners, including the Small Business Administration’s Syracuse SCORE chapter and WISE (Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship) Women’s Business Center.
Although she’s just starting out, Brocious is optimistic for the future of Break of Day.
“If I can make one person’s life easier, brighten one person’s day, then as far as I’m concerned, I’ve done my job,” she said.
Break of Day Concierge and Errand Service serves residents of northern Onondaga and southern Oswego counties. The office is located at 8417 Oswego Road, No. 138, in Baldwinsville.
For more information, call 380-2557 or visit breakofdayconcierge.com.
