Insights
The Blog of Brio Living Services
Alberta Sabin: Celebrating Her 93rd Birthday with Alzheimer’s Walk
Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) resident Alberta Sabin is celebrating her 93rd birthday by helping those living with dementia. On October 11, 2020, Alberta will participate as part of the UMRC-CRC team in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Washtenaw County. This is her 5th time to walk in this event.Dementia is personal to…
Max and Sue Supica – Five Decades of Faith and Philanthropy
Max and Sue Supica recently celebrated 50 years of membership at West Side United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor and, with it, a 50-year relationship with United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC).The Supicas moved to Ann Arbor 52 years ago. Sue, a native of Anderson, Indiana and Max from Kansas City, Kansas met while working at…
Human Resources Team Provides “Hero Support” for UMRC & Porter Hills Caregivers and Families
Caring for others is always essential, but never more so than during a crisis like COVID-19. While our Healthcare Heroes are at the frontlines, providing outstanding personal care and services to our residents and PACE participants, the UMRC Foundation, Porter Hills Foundation, Human Resources, and other teams are behind the scenes offering “Hero Support.” UMRC & Porter…
Focus on Faith - “The Reason for Our Hope” – Rev. Nancy Claus, Chaplain, Porter Hills
My husband’s favorite word is HOPE. Tom skillfully interjects this short, four-letter word into our many conversations when we gather as a family. He shares that HOPE is a gift; when it arrives, despair departs. HOPE pierces the darkness. Within Holy Scripture no word is more beautifully descriptive of the Gospel of Jesus Christ than HOPE;…
Lexi Parkinson Shares Her Artwork with Kresge Residents
With COVID-19 closing schools and keeping visitors away from skilled nursing centers like UMRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Leslie Middle School student, Lexi Parkinson, decided to do something special. “Lexi really takes to art and being creative,” says her mom, Laura. “We got some small canvases and craft paint and she did the rest.” Lexi thoughtfully chose ideas to…
Autumn Ambs, Dining Services: Serving Meals and Smiles
UMRC Dietary Aide, Autumn Ambs has worked in Dining Services at Chelsea Retirement Community since she was a high school student. Seventeen years later, she has built some wonderful relationships with the independent living residents at Dancey House. Her name badge is covered in POM (Promoting Our Mission) awards, a testament to the love and…
LifeCircles PACE – Perry Babcock, FNP: Creativity and Teamwork
When nurse practitioner Perry Babcock, FNP walks into the LifeCircles PACE Day Center in Holland, “the participants light up,” says day center supervisor Betsy Schutzenhofer. “They enjoy talking to him and not just about medical issues. He has a caring heart and people sense that.”  As a primary care provider at LifeCircles PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), Perry sees participants for scheduled preventive health screenings and exams…
Josie Pezzullo: Enriching the Lives of Older Adults
When the call went out to recruit other team members to assist as caregivers at UMRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (Kresge Center), the answer came easily for its Life Enrichment coordinator, Josie Pezzullo.“Since I know the residents so well, I felt I was a good candidate for it and that it might be a…
Caregiver Spotlight – Melissa Williams, Gentle Compassion
Melissa Williams works the night shift as a Memory Care Support RCA (Resident Care Assistant) at UMRC’s Towsley Village Memory Care Center, a Positive Approach® to Care (PAC) “Participating” organization. A PAC certified coach, Melissa cares deeply about the residents she serves who live with dementia. “They are truly amazing human beings,” says Melissa. “To help…
Libby Brightman: New Experience and New Appreciation for Caregivers
“Direct care was not something I ever thought I would be doing,” says UMRC human resources business partner, Libby Brightman. But when the call went out to recruit other team members to assist as caregivers at UMRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (Kresge Center), she answered that call.“I was nervous about it at first, but…
Nicole Adams: Returning to Her Roots as a Caregiver
A nine-year veteran at UMRC, Nicole Adams started as a resident care assistant in Glazier Commons Assisted Living before moving to scheduling and, currently, the marketing and sales team. “I began my career in 2011 as a CNA (certified nurse aide) working in a brain injury rehabilitation setting prior to coming to UMRC,” says Nicole.When…
Karen Owen: Stepping In to Help
They say when you need something done, ask a busy person. That is especially true of, Karen Owen, Director of Donor Relations and Services for the UMRC Foundation and Porter Hills Foundation.Several weeks ago, the call went out to recruit other team members to assist as caregivers at UMRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (Kresge…