Blog Archive
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Beyond the Table: Celebrating National Nutrition Month® at Brio Living Services
Beyond the Table: Celebrating National Nutrition Month® at Brio Living ServicesDuring Careers in Aging Month, we are delighted to feature some of the many careers that help us all to age well. As March is also National Nutrition Month®, we salute all those who help to bring delicious, nutritious food to the table for the…
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Being There for Others: Celebrating Social Workers at Brio Living Services
Being There for Others: Celebrating Social Workers at Brio Living ServicesMarch is Careers in Aging Month, and Brio Living Services is highlighting a variety of professions that help us all to age well! One of these is social work, which we also celebrate in March during National Social Workers Month.Brio Living Services employs 47 social…
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Huron Valley PACE Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Serving Older Adults
Huron Valley PACE Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Serving Older Adults Dignitaries Honored Organization’s Decade of DedicationHuron Valley PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, celebrated its 10th Anniversary with A Decade of Dedication Open House event at the PACE Day Center located in Ypsilanti, Michigan on Friday, March 8.Several dignitaries were on hand to…
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Mia Larson: Fulfilling Her Dream of a Career in Healthcare
Mia Larson: Fulfilling Her Dream of a Career in Healthcare Since she was a kid, Mia Larson always wanted to work in healthcare. She completed her CNA training at Kent Career Technical Center while still a high school student. As part of the program, Mia says, “There was a mock practice interview with Porter Hills Village.…
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Embracing Home with Avenues: The Wise Choice for Older Adults
Embracing Home with Avenues: The Wise Choice for Older AdultsAs we age, the concept of ‘home’ takes on a deeper significance. It’s not just a physical space; it’s a repository of memories, a place of comfort, and a symbol of independence.Remarkably, a striking 93% of older adults express a desire to remain in their own…
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LifeCircles PACE and Mobile Dental Partner Bring Healthy Smiles to Participants
LifeCircles PACE and Mobile Dental Partner Bring Healthy Smiles to Participants Dental health is often neglected among older adults, particularly those with lower incomes, lack of insurance, and mobility challenges. A 2022 study by the Journal of Personalized Medicine shows that as many as 78% of older adults have experienced some tooth loss. This can…
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Celebrating Senior Independence Month at Brio Living Services
Celebrating Senior Independence Month at Brio Living ServicesFebruary is National Senior Independence Month, which celebrates the many ways older adults can continue to be self-reliant, as well as the community services and adaptations that make independence more accessible for so many. At Brio Living Services, we believe that respecting and preserving the autonomy of the…
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Celebrating Valentine's Day - Just For Fun!
Celebrating Valentine’s Day – Just For Fun!Valentine’s Day doesn’t just have to be for romance. It can also be a fun day to spend with friends and taking the time to appreciate loved ones around you. No matter what your situation is, here are some fun ways to celebrate the day to liven up your…
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Brio Living Services Announces New Leader at Thome PACE
Brio Living Services Announces New Leader at Thome PACE Robyn Abbey-Hardesty, LMSW Named New Thome PACE Executive DirectorBrio Living Services has announced that Robyn Abbey-Hardesty, LMSW, has accepted the role of Executive Director for Thome Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE®, located in Jackson, Michigan. Abbey-Hardesty, who served as the Thome PACE Day…
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Be Kind to Servers Month
Be Kind to Servers MonthBrio Living Services employs nearly 200 Dining Services team members throughout the state, many of whom are servers; the hard-working folks tasked with making the dining experience friendly, high-quality, and meaningful at Brio’s residential communities. Being a server at a Brio community differs in many ways from a typical restaurant. Residents…
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Volunteer Kristy Fetyko and Tinkerbell Bring Joy to CRC Residents
Volunteer Kristy Fetyko and Tinkerbell Bring Joy to CRC ResidentsKristy Fetyko of Chelsea and her 6-year-old Papillion, Tinkerbell, are a welcome sight at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC)! Kristy volunteers weekly, alternating between Independent Living and Assisted Living on the CRC campus, and Tinkerbell loves to go with her, dolled up with a bow in her…
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Food for Thought: Huron Valley PACE and Local Partners Provide Healthy Food Pantry Options for PACE Participants
Food for Thought: Huron Valley PACE and Local Partners Provide Healthy Food Pantry Options for PACE Participants The first and third Wednesdays each month are busy days at Brio Living Services’ Huron Valley PACE. That’s when Food Gatherers of Washtenaw County delivers food items to the PACE food pantry.“The population we serve at Huron Valley…
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Balanced Living by Brio Living Services Offers Holistic Approach to Health
Balanced Living by Brio Living Services Offers Holistic Approach to HealthChelsea Retirement Community Pilots Enhanced Wellness Experience for ResidentsBrio Living Services announces the pilot of a new branded health and wellness program at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC), its flagship campus in Chelsea, Michigan. Balanced Living by Brio Living Services will kick off in January 2024…
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Brio Living Services Announces Re-Launch of Avenues, Offering Innovative, Personalized Approach to Living Independently at Home!
Brio Living Services Announces Re-Launch of AvenuesOffering Innovative, Personalized Approach to Living Independently at Home!Brio Living Services has announced the re-launch of Avenues by Brio Living Services in early 2024, pending approval by the State of Michigan. Avenues is a life plan community at home program for older adults, focusing on health and wellness and…
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Share Your Story This Holiday Season and Leave Your Legacy
Share Your Story This Holiday Season and Leave Your LegacyOne of Dave Isay’s earliest memories involves capturing the stories of his grandparents and great aunts on a small cassette recorder (remember those?). He turned his love of stories into a vocation as founder of StoryCorps, an organization that has recorded stories from more than 600,000…
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Meet Our Donors – Jim and Marie Preston
Meet our Donors – Jim and Marie PrestonJim Preston says his first knowledge of Porter Hills Village in Grand Rapids was walking by it on the 16th fairway while golfing. However, he and his wife, Marie, would soon become intimately involved with Porter Hills, now Brio Living Services.Jim was invited to serve on the Porter…
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Supercharge Your Immune System With These Helpful Tips
Check out these tips for boosting your immune system A strong immune system is an integral part of our health as it helps our bodies to fight off illness and infection. As we age, our immune systems can naturally begin to weaken making our bodies less efficient when it comes to responding to infections. Protect yourself…
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UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation Announces Grant from the Jackson Community Foundation
UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation AnnouncesGrant from the Jackson Community FoundationFunds Will Support Home Repairs for Low-Income Thome PACE ParticipantsThe UMRC (United Methodist Retirement Communities)-Porter Hills Foundation announced that it has received a grant of $20,000 from the Jackson Community Foundation. These funds will support the Home Repair Program for participants of Thome PACE (Program of All-inclusive…
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Why Make the Move to Assisted Living?
Five Reasons to Make the Move to an Assisted Living CommunityWith personalized care options, dining and wellness amenities, fellowship and engaging programming and much more, assisted living sounds like an enticing option for older adults looking to make the move. From the moment you set foot in your new home, you’ll know your future is…
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Your Tree of Life Gift Will Be Matched to Support the Benevolent Care Fund!
Your Tree of Life Gift Will Be Matched to Support the Benevolent Care Fund!“There are not enough words to express my tearful thanks to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s Benevolent Care Fund for the care of my wife these past several years. I don’t know what we would have done without this financial assistance.”This husband’s expression…
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Celebrate the Season of Gratitude with Ways to Give Back
Celebrate the Season of Gratitude with Ways to Give BackGiving Tuesday is just around the corner on November 28! During this season of gratitude, Giving Tuesday is a special day that offers the opportunity to look for ways to give back in our communities or to assist with causes we care about. Giving back can…
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Easy Thanksgiving Recipes to Make and Take
Cranberry Brie BitesServes 8 peopleCranberry Brie Bites are a sweet and tangy bite-sized appetizer. Creamy baked brie in a flaky crescent roll cup topped with sweet cranberry orange sauce.8-ounce tube crescent roll doughflour for rolling out the dough6 ounces Brie cheese¼ cup orange marmalade¼ cup whole cranberry sauce¼ cup chopped pistachios, pecans or walnutsfresh rosemary…
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Home Health Care vs. Private Duty
What’s the Difference Between Home Health Care and Private Duty?During National Home Care and Hospice Month, we have been thrilled to highlight our Home and Community Based Services in various ways! One of the most common questions our Porter Hills Home Health Care team members receive is, “what is the difference between home health care…
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Saluting Our Veterans - Dr. Richard Pollard
Saluting Our Veterans – Dr. Richard PollardOn Veterans Day, we honor and remember our country’s veterans for their valor and service. We are delighted to honor centenarian Dr. Richard Pollard, a resident of Chelsea Retirement Community, for his service as a physician and United States Medical Officer.Richard was born 100 years ago in Norway, Michigan…
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Understanding The Costs of Independent Living
Understanding the Cost of Independent LivingWhen you move to independent living, your monthly payment includes much more than housing. You’ll have access to a variety of dining options, wellness center and fitness classes, trips, art classes, a social calendar, and all house maintenance taken care of! Learn more about understanding what comes with the cost…
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Honoring Native American Heritage Month at Brio Living Services
Honoring Native American Heritage Month at Brio Living ServicesNovember is Native American Heritage Month, a time when we join together to honor the rich ancestry, traditions, languages, and stories of Native Americans. It is also a time to celebrate Native culture through the exploration of art, music, and food. Most importantly, Native American Heritage Month…
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Scholarship Spotlight: Manda Riley
Seeing the World in a Different Light Manda Riley of Onsted, Michigan has worked at Chelsea Retirement Community’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center for nearly five years as its Assistant Director of Nursing. She has always wanted to continue her studies to become a registered nurse—like her aunt. But, “I didn’t want to put that…
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National Estate Planning Awareness Week
Debunking Common Myths Regarding Wills During National Estate Planning Awareness WeekHaving an up-to-date estate plan or will is one of the most significant avenues we have for providing for our families and the causes we care about after we’re gone. Yet, only about one-third of U.S. adults have a will, according to Legalzoom.In 2008, National…
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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Brio Living Services Celebrates Hispanic Heritage MonthEvery year, from September 15 to October 15, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month (also referred to as Latinx Heritage Month). While most month-long celebrations don’t cross over into another calendar month, Hispanic Heritage Month’s dates were chosen with care. September 15 is a significant date in many…
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Starting a Healthy Lifestyle is Possible at Any Age
It’s never too late to take your health into your own hands.Embracing active aging is a possibility at any stage of life! Making small changes to your lifestyle can lead to a longer and healthier life. While genetics and other uncontrollable factors play a role, there are steps you can take to stay motivated and…
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World Alzheimer's Month
Brio Living Services Envisions a World Without Alzheimer’sAs World Alzheimer’s Month winds down in September, the fundraising efforts for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s continue around the state from Chelsea Retirement Community to Porter Hills Village. According to the 2023 Alzheimer’s Association’s Fact & Figures Report, Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent form of dementia,…
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Falls Prevention Awareness
Empowering Older Adults with the Tools to Prevent FallsAt this time of year, we begin to celebrate the coming of fall, with the crispness in the air and the beauty of the leaves changing colors. But for many of us as we age, the word “fall” takes on a much scarier meaning. At several Brio…
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Helping People Age With Vitality & Positive Energy
The Benefits of Yoga: “Helping People Age with Vitality and Positive Energy”In keeping with Healthy Aging month, September is also National Yoga Awareness month! Brio Living Services’ Chief Financial Officer, Kim Hoppe, has been practicing yoga for nearly 20 years and shares her knowledge with our team members.“Yoga and other physical activities, as well as…
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National PACE Month with Brio Living Services!
September is National PACE Month!Every September, the National PACE Association (NPA) celebrates National PACE month. NPA chose this year’s theme: “PACE: Where You Belong,” with the intent of “highlighting the sense of community and connection that Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) build for their participants and staff.” Brio Living Services offers PACE services…
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Celebrating Healthy Aging at All Ages!
September is Healthy Aging Month!On Thursdays at Chelsea Retirement Community, a group of residents can be found dancing the Macarena in the McMullen Wellness Center. This line dancing class is led by Ballet Chelsea instructor, Macks Kreps, and is offered as part of an Artful Aging grant from E.A. Michelson Philanthropy.Resident Laura Noble says, “It…
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Foundation’s Giving Gratitude Events Support Team Member Scholarship Recipients
Proceeds from Foundation’s Giving Gratitude Events Support Team Member Scholarship Recipients Like Jenny!Jenny Levandowski began her work as a dining server at Cook Valley Estates when she was a senior in high school. “I really enjoy our team and being able to provide quality service to the residents,” says Jenny who has recently become a…
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National Wellness Month with Brio Living Services
Couch to 5K Wellness ProgramAugust is National Wellness Month, a time for focusing on being active and improving health. At Brio Living Services, Wellness Month is an exciting time because it marks the launch of our Couch to 5k program. Couch to 5k is a 10-week training program open for all Brio Living Services team members…
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Turning Gifts into Love: Thank you to Lead Sponsor, Rose Pest Solutions, for Supporting Giving Gratitude!
Turning Gifts into Love: Thank you to Lead Sponsor, Rose Pest Solutions, for Supporting Giving Gratitude! “We at Rose Pest Solutions are proud to sponsor the Giving Gratitude events and are grateful ourselves for the long-time vendor relationship we have had with Brio Living Services (formerly UMRC & Porter Hills). As Rose is now a 4th…
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Leave a Lasting Legacy with UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation
August is Make a Will month! Pat loved the Tigers, her family, and her friends at her Brio Living Services community. Thanks to a gift in her will to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s Benevolent Care Fund, Pat’s loving legacy continues to provide care for our qualified residents who outlive their savings. You, TOO, can leave a lasting…
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Serving up Excellence for National Culinary Month
Serving up Excellence for National Culinary Month July is National Culinary Month! At Brio Living Services, there is much to celebrate. Between brand new dining rooms, successful teams in place, and finalists in culinary contests, the Dining Services teams at Brio have a lot to be proud of.On July 5, Porter Hills Village in Grand Rapids…
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Beat The Heat With Brio Living Services!
Beat The Heat This Summer With Brio Living Services! Happy summer from Brio Living Services! While this is the perfect time to soak in the sunshine with friends and family, it is important to know best practices for older adults to stay cool and healthy this summer, avoiding harmful illnesses caused by extreme heat. According to…
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Enhancing Health and Wellness for Affordable Living Residents
ENHANCING HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR AFFORDABLE LIVING RESIDENTS A two-year Thome Aging Well grant of $200,000 is helping to enhance physical and mental wellness for residents at each of Brio Living Services’ eight Affordable Living communities from Detroit to Grand Rapids. This grant, made possible by Enterprise Community Partners, the Edward N. & Della L.…
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The Pines Residents, Judy and Richard Ashley, Celebrate 40 Years as Chelsea Hospital Volunteers
THE PINES RESIDENTS, JUDY AND RICHARD ASHLEY, CELEBRATE 40 YEARS AS CHELSEA HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS “We said we would try it,” says Judy Ashley of their initial experience volunteering at Chelsea Hospital back in the ‘80s. “We never planned to volunteer as long as we did!” Recently, Judy and Richard Ashley, residents of The Pines, were honored…
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Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness MonthJune is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month! Dementia, including Alzheimer’s, is not a part of normal aging, but is increasingly common among older adults. Linda Mammel, memory care program manager at Chelsea Retirement Community’s Towsley Village, says spreading awareness for dementia is crucial. “Dementia affects the whole person and the whole…
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Brio Living Services Announces New Independent Living Addition And Renovations at Porter Hills Village
Brio Living Services Announces New Independent Living Addition And Renovations at Porter Hills VillageBrio Living Services, formerly United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC) and Porter Hills, recently announced plans for a new Independent Living addition as well as the opening of renovated, state-of-the-art dining room and common spaces at its flagship Grand Rapids campus, Porter Hills…
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Pride Month: DEI at Brio Living Services
Happy Pride Month!June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, and our residents, participants, families, team members, and leadership of Brio Living Services who identify within it. Brio Living Services has made inclusivity a priority in its Mission Statement: “Welcoming all, partnering together, enriching lives.” Inclusiveness is also an important element of…
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Brio Living Services 2nd Annual Softball Game Brings Together Team Members Across Michigan
Brio Living Services 2nd Annual Softball Game Brings Together Team Members Across MichiganSoftball Game and Team Member Meet and Greet to be held on June 3, 2023.It’s almost that time of year again—time for the annual Brio Living Services shore-to-shore Softball Game and Team Member Meet and Greet! This unique event will be held on…
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Enhancing Health and Wellness for Affordable Living Residents
“YOU Make a Difference” is this year’s theme for National Nurses Month. At Brio Living Services, we are grateful for the incredible difference and fundamental impact our nurses make through their dedication and caring service to older adults.
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“YOU Make a Difference!” Brio Living Services Celebrates Nurses during National Nurses Month!
“YOU Make a Difference” is this year’s theme for National Nurses Month. At Brio Living Services, we are grateful for the incredible difference and fundamental impact our nurses make through their dedication and caring service to older adults.
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Focus on Faith – Elisabeth Seymour, Staff Chaplain, Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) Assisted Living
Becoming a pastor hadn’t been Elisabeth Seymour’s plan but, when this teacher felt the calling, she says with a laugh, “I made a deal with God: ‘If you’ll provide me with the time and resources, then I’ll do it.’”
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Celebrating National Volunteer Week!
April is National Volunteer Month, and this week is National Volunteer Week! Each Tuesday this month we have highlighted on social media a volunteer who is making a difference at Brio Living Services. Today we are pleased to feature Mary Robertson, Volunteer Coordinator at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC), and to thank all our Brio Living Services volunteers!
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The Pets of Brio Living Services
If you are a pet owner, you can undoubtedly relate to the joyful moments of arriving home to a furry friend greeting you excitedly. You can always count on a pet to cheer you up, lend a listening ear, and give you unconditional love.
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The benefits of staying social with age
As we age, we may tend to not put as much focus on our social life. This is a mistake that can negatively impact your or a loved one’s well-being. Studies have shown that older adults who maintain an active social life show improved mental and physical health.
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Brio Living Services Celebrates National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month! This year’s campaign by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is labeled “Fuel for the Future,” emphasizing the importance of sustainable eating habits to nourish ourselves during every phase of life. Healthy food choices and lifestyles are especially important as we age.
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Betty Pope: A Life Well Lived
Betty Pope and her children began coming to Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) in the 1950s to visit her grandmother, Julia Laseter, who lived at CRC. Later, Betty’s parents, Howard and Bessie Lausen, moved to CRC. Betty was the third generation to call CRC home when she moved in 2007. Betty passed away this week, just one day shy of her 100th birthday. Yet the legacy of her strength, will, and heart live on.
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Discovering the Not-For-Profit Difference
At Brio Living Services, we are proud to uphold our mission, vision, and guiding beliefs, all of which are based on our founding principles and faith-based heritage. These values are reflected in our status as a not-for-profit organization.
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National Caregivers Day
Every year on the third Friday of February, we celebrate National Caregivers Day, when we honor the caregivers in our lives, both paid and unpaid, for the compassionate support they provide to those who need extra care.
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Lora Underwood: A Cheerleader for Health and Wellness
Since 2015, Lora Underwood has been offering health and wellness classes and activities for the residents living at The Thome Rivertown Neighborhood Affordable Assisted Living in Detroit. Lora offers classes two days a week for one hour each, including chair aerobics, strength building exercises, stretching, and flexibility.
“In general, I try to encourage as much movement as possible so older adults can stay active and mobile,” says Lora. “They get really excited when we play music from their era. Activities with music, such as line dancing, help motivate movement.”
Upon retiring from the Michigan Court of Appeals after 36 years of services as a judicial assistant, Lora followed her passion for health and fitness by becoming a master trainer and program coordinator for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan.
Chronic diseases such as arthritis and kidney disease can make movement more difficult, Lora says, but “if they keep moving, it helps. I understand the extra effort it takes to come to exercise, for example, residents who are on dialysis. I encourage them to work at their own pace and do what they can do. I say, ‘Challenge yourself and you’ll be surprised at what you can do.’ Your body will thank you.”
Says Lora, “I enjoy my job, and I enjoy older adults. I love seeing the joy on their faces when we interact. It feels good to be part of their health and well-being. You have to have a heart for older adults; they can tell when you care. I’m their cheerleader.”
To support Health and Wellness through the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s Life Enrichment initiative, contact the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation at 734.433.1000 ext. 7397 (east) or 616.577.2297 (west). Or click here to make a secure online gift.
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Discover the differences between Independent Living & Assisted Living
Researching retirement communities can be daunting, and you may realize there is much more to it than you thought. Between price structures, locations, and levels of living, it can feel like a whole new language to learn! At Brio Living Services, our Sales Advisors are here to help!
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Meet Our Donors: Debbie Steggles
“Find your passion, your interest, and let that be your cause.”
Debbie Steggles, Brio Living Services’ Senior Executive Director of Affordable Housing, follows these words in her career and in her giving to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation.
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No Scale New Year
The No Scale New Year Challenge provides fun, easy ways for team members to connect and share ideas to adopt long lasting lifestyle habits. It hopes to help break the stigma of failed New Year’s resolutions!
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New Year, New You
As a new calendar year begins, many of us take this time to evaluate where we are in our lives and make New Year’s resolutions to motivate us to be the best versions of ourselves. If reaching goals is overwhelming, try sorting your goals into the three categories discussed in today’s blog!
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Erin Johnson: Team Member Scholarship Recipient
Erin Johnson is a Resident Aide in Porter Hills Village’s Assisted Living and Memory Care Center and a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University with a major in allied health science. This fall, she began an Accelerated Second-Degree program to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN)—thanks to your support of the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s Team Member Scholarship program.
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Picking Out the Right Senior Living Community
Our free checklist, “Compare the Benefits of a Retirement Community,” will help you record details of each senior care community you may be considering.
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How to Talk to Love One About Care Options
There may come a point in time when your loved ones are having a difficult time living on their own. Change can be challenging for everyone, which may cause you to hold off the conversation about seeking care options for your loved ones.
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Affordable Living … Abundant Living
Norma Taylor grew up in New York near Niagara Falls. When her sister’s husband needed back surgery in 1970, Norma came to Michigan to help with their young children. It was only supposed to be for a few months, but I never left,” says Norma.
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December is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness Month
As we approach the joys of the holiday season, some of us also experience the negative effects of shorter days and lack of sunshine during these gray days of winter. We may be feeling sluggish, experiencing problems sleeping, craving carbohydrates, losing interest in activities we enjoy, and feeling hopeless. These symptoms may be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that affects an estimated 10 million Americans.
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Celebrate Read a New Book Month in December!
December is commonly known as a month full of holidays, but did you know that it is also Read a New Book Month? The perfect way to combat that holiday stress is to pick up a good book and get lost in its pages. All those anxieties will melt away as you escape into another world.
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As you gather with your older adult this holiday season, be on the lookout for these 10 signs.
The holidays can be one of the most fulfilling times of the year, with friends and loved ones gathering for exciting events. It’s not uncommon to notice things in an aging loved one throughout these times that may bring up concerns.
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Giving Tuesday: A Chance to Give Back
Every year, after the excitement over Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday has died down, we turn to the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday, to give back to the causes that are most important to us.
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Brio Living Services Marks National Home Care & Hospice Month
November is National Home Care & Hospice Month and Brio Living Services has a lot of reasons to celebrate! This month, especially, we honor those care teams who make such a difference in serving older adults in their homes and communities.
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Two Chelsea Retirement Community Rosie the Riveters Celebrate Veterans Day
“These ladies are so inspiring!” says Hazel Mead, CRC’s Independent Living Life Enrichment Coordinator. “What a wonderful thing these ladies have done in their lives!”
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Halloween Events Creating Community Across the State
It has been a busy few weeks at Brio Living Services, with several of our communities and locations enjoying Halloween in their own special ways.
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Rep. Debbie Dingell and CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure Visit Huron Valley PACE
Brio’s Huron Valley PACE in Ypsilanti recently hosted a visit from U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12) and Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). They led a Senior Town Hall at the day center to hear concerns of older adults, share updates on home- and community-based services, and answer questions during Medicare open enrollment. Said Huron Valley PACE Executive Director Sonja Felton, “Rep. Dingell is a fierce champion for older adults, especially those needing home- and community-based care such as PACE.”
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National Estate Planning Awareness Week!
October 17th through the 23rd is National Estate Planning Awareness Week! The UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation wants to remind you that there’s no better time to consider your estate plan!
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UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation Hosts Giving Gratitude Events in Plymouth and Grand Rapids This Fall
The UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation will show its gratitude for YOU, our generous donors and supporters, with a pair of upcoming celebrations! Our Giving Gratitude: A Celebration of YOU events will be held on October 26 at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth, and at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids on November 9. Both events begin at 6:00 p.m.
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Darlene Scott Finds Joy in “Couch to 5K” Journey
Darlene shared, “Brio wellness programs provide an outlet for team members to release stress, learn and try new things, and connect with one another. I have found a new joy for running and can always count on it as a time to focus on just myself.”
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PACE: Saving Lives and Healing Hearts
September is National PACE Month, where we celebrate the ways PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, improves quality of life for older adults and allows them to live as independently as possible in their own homes and communities.
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CRC Walkers Take Steps to End Alzheimer’s
Approximately 150 walkers, including residents, families, and team members, created a sea of purple as they walked through the CRC campus to raise awareness for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
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Agnes McLean’s Legacy of Art Lives at Chelsea Retirement Community
Sam’s great grandmother, Agnes McLean of Ann Arbor, was a sculptor. One of her works, “One World”, completed in 1946, was made to adorn the entrance of Chelsea Retirement Community where it still stands
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Chelsea Retirement Community: Fighting Alzheimer's One Step at a Time
Kori Rochefort, a team member of Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) for more than twenty years, takes the reigns as this year’s captain for the 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s CRC walk team!
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PACE: Helping Participants like Joan ‘Soar Like an Eagle’
September is National PACE Month, an opportunity to celebrate the innovation, joy, and care provided for older adults at Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE®)! Joan’s story illustrates this year’s theme – PACE: This is the Place for Me.
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Connecting Generations: Happy 30th Anniversary, Generations Child Development Center!
“Generations is a special component of the joy of living at Porter Hills Village.”
– Ruth Stubbs
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Gift of Fountain Adds Beauty to Cook Valley Estates Wetlands
“The addition of the fountain in our wetlands is truly a blessing,” says Community Manager Kelly Mockerman.
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Porter Hills Women’s Board: 50+ Years of Service
The Porter Hills Women’s Board is disbanding after more than 50 years of faithful service to the residents of Porter Hills Village. Its purpose was “to work in a volunteer capacity to give service, supply a personal touch, and aid in promoting the general welfare and happiness of the residents of Porter Hills.”Over the years,…
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Local Senior Living Organization Hosts Visit From AARP Michigan
Brio Living Services’ GREEN HOUSE® Homes
Represent ‘Golden Standard’ for Long-term Care
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Celebrating Wellness Month
August is Wellness Month! Brio Living Services’ Guiding Beliefs are based on our founding principals and include: Integrity, Wellness, Inclusiveness, Stewardship, Excellence, and Community.
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Sprouting Joy and Purpose at Chelsea Retirement Community Gardens
Prairie Cottages resident Fred Junger was walking through Dancey House at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) when Independent Living Life Enrichment Coordinator Hazel Mead asked him, “What do you know about chickens?” “Absolutely nothing!” was Fred’s reply. But he decided to give it a try.
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Art At Every Age: Resident Art on Display at The Pines
Beginning July 1st and running through July 14th, residents at The Pines Senior Apartments in Chelsea will have their amazing artwork on display.
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Happy Memories and Stories on Display at Chelsea Retirement Community
During the month of June, often thought of as a time of love and nuptials, a variety of wedding-related items are on display on the Dancey House Mezzanine at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC).
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Men's Health Month and Father's Day
Happy Father’s Day from Brio Living Services! While this is a time to celebrate the fathers and other important male figures in our lives, it is important to acknowledge that June is also Men’s Health Month, with an emphasis on mental health.
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Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, offering an opportunity to hold a conversation about the brain. As dementia continues to affect more and more older adults and their care partners, it is crucial to identify ways we can focus on the abilities of those living with dementia.
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Happy Pride Month
We at Brio Living Services strive to carry out our Guiding Beliefs every single day. But specifically, today we would like to highlight our Guiding Belief of Inclusiveness in honor of Pride Month. We welcome all, regardless of faith, national origin, or any aspect of human diversity, and want all who live, work, and receive…
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Leave a Legacy Month: Fred W. Ford’s Life of Faith and Service to Others
May is Leave a Legacy Month in Michigan. If there is a charitable cause or organization you are passionate about – like the UMRC & Porter Hills Foundation – Leave a Legacy Month could be the perfect time for you to consider creating or updating your will.
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May is Older Americans Month - Celebrating Age My Way
May is Older Americans Month – Celebrating Age My WayEach one of us is unique, and how we age is unique to each of us as well. What better way to celebrate Older Americans Month than with this year’s theme: Age My Way.Every May, the Administration for Community Living, part of the U.S. Department of…
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Brio Living Services Celebrates National Nurses Week—Nurses Make a Difference
May is National Nurses Month and Brio Living Services celebrates its nursing team members across the organization. National Nurses Month, formerly National Nurses Week, was first declared in 1993, to “recognize the vast contributions and positive impact of America’s 4 million registered nurses.” This year’s theme is: Nurses Make A Difference.Week One of Nurses Month…
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Evie Bowers’ Unique Perspective: Telling the Story
Evie Bowers has a unique perspective on Brio Living Services, having lived at two of its Chelsea and Grand Rapids locations.