Insights

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…