Insights
The Blog of Brio Living Services
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
Answering the Call to Support Caregivers at UMRC’s Kresge Center
What do a human resources business partner (Libby Brightman), a director of donor relations (Karen Owen), a life enrichment coordinator (Josie Pezzullo), and a sales advisor (Nicole Adams) all have in common? It turns out, a very big heart for the older adults they serve at United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC). When the…
Exercise: Helping Residents Have Fun and Stay Physically Active at UMRC
Staying physically active plays a vital role in healthy aging. The McMullen Wellness Center at UMRC’s Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC), highly popular with CRC residents, celebrated its opening a year ago, but is now off limits due to COVID-19. Tony Maino, Director of Lifestyle and Health, and the Life Enrichment team were determined to…
Not all heroes wear capes. Some, like Jamie Bell of UMRC’s Housekeeping team, wear gowns, masks, and face shields.
Jamie’s day starts at 7:30am in UMRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Since COVID-19, her job as a housekeeper has never been more important to keep residents and team members safe. “I come in and put on my personal protection equipment (PPE), then get my cart, wipe it down, fill up my supplies, and…
Bob and Stella Wolfe, 67th Wedding Anniversary
After 67 years of married life, it’s hard to keep Bob and Stella Wolfe apart. Formerly of Grass Lake, Bob and Stella now live at UMRC’s Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC). Stella had come originally for a short-term rehabilitation stay at Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center and then for long-term care. Bob then sold their…