Avenues by Brio Living Services: Focus on the Whole Person
As Porter Hills’ Vice President of Finance from 2012 to 2014, Sue Stoddard was familiar with Paige Hendrickson, Executive Director for Avenues by Brio Living Services. “Paige and I had offices near each other,” explains Sue. “I was impressed with the rapport Paige had with the Avenues members. Paige is a warm, calming presence, very caring.”
The only program of its kind in West Michigan and one of just three statewide, Avenues by Brio Living Services is a Continuing Care at Home program, focusing on health and wellness and providing navigation services for its members to remain living independently in their own home as they age.
“I like to describe Avenues as a personalized journey through aging—there’s no set plan or agenda,” says Paige. “Quality of life is the most important goal.”
Today, Sue is an Avenues member. She describes herself as “on the young side” of most members but feels having the safety net of Avenues is important as she ages. As a single person with two sons who live far away, Avenues holds many benefits for Sue. “Avenues offers a point of contact for my sons should we need it, and I have an assigned navigator, Jessica Lincolnhol, who helps me with age-appropriate exercise programs and accompanies me to doctor’s appointments as needed, to name just a few benefits.”
Sue says her parents set a good example for her when they moved to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in their hometown. “It provided peace of mind for them and for me,” says Sue. “Dad had Parkinson’s and used every level of care. Avenues offers that same assurance without having to move from the home where I have lived for over 40 years.”
Sue remains active as a volunteer with the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance program through United Way. She also plays violin in the Calvin Community Symphony and enjoys golfing, gardening, hiking, and biking. In addition, Sue supports the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s Benevolent Care Fund. “I like being able to help residents who have exhausted their resources.”
She adds, “I really like Brio’s focus on the whole person. It was nice working for a place like that, and I’m grateful to be part of Avenues that looks at each member as an individual. It’s a great match for me, and I’m looking forward to being with Avenues for a very long time.”
Avenues by Brio Living Services has recently expanded its reach into the West Michigan Lakeshore area, bringing its unique services to Holland, Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and other lakeshore area communities. Learn more about all that Brio Living Services has to offer to embrace vibrant living!