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Daily Habits That Support Healthy Aging At Home

Healthy aging doesn’t happen by accident — small daily habits can make a big difference in staying independent, strong, and vibrant at home. By incorporating simple routines, you can boost your energy and improve overall well-being. As we ring in the New Year, consider implementing these daily habits to make 2026 as healthy as possible, brought to you by Avenues by Brio Living Services:

  • Move every day: Gentle exercise like walking, stretching, or chair yoga strengthens muscles and improves balance.
  • Eat for energy and health: Focus on nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
  • Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water throughout the day supports digestion, joint health, and cognitive function.
  • Prioritize sleep: A consistent sleep schedule helps maintain energy, mood, and memory.
  • Engage your mind and social connections: Reading, puzzles, or phone/video chats with friends keep your brain active and reduce isolation.

Creating daily routines like these is an important part of aging well — and having the right support can make them easier to maintain. Avenues by Brio Living Services helps older adults stay safely and confidently at home by combining personalized care, resources, and proactive support, so you can focus on the habits that keep you healthy and independent. Check out the Eight Dimensions of Wellness that our Avenues members live by!

A Legacy of Love: Peter Paolini’s Family Shares Gratitude for His Care

Peter Paolini was the beloved baby of the Paolini family of six siblings. “He was my soul brother,” says his sister, Francine. “Our connection was so tight and loving. We grew up in a loud, Italian family, quick-witted with a lot of humor in our house. He was mischievous, a true extrovert who loved meeting and being around people.”

At the age of 30, Peter was diagnosed with benign brain tumors and had his first of many surgeries. Still, he completed his master’s degree in library science and became a librarian like his sister, Francine. “You have to know a little bit about a lot of things as a librarian,” says Francine. “His brain was like the best computer you would ever own.”

Eventually, Peter’s brain tumors affected his ability to walk. Following his last surgery in 2015, Peter moved to Porter Hills Village at just 55 years old.

“Peter lived in the Porter Hills Village Health Center for ten years,” says Nicole Maag, Chief of Residential Services for Brio Living Services. “He may be the youngest and the longest-served resident we have cared for in long-term care.”

Francine says it took Peter a little while to settle in but, eventually, he started really getting to know the nurses and care team. “So many nurses there are spectacular people,” Francine says. “He would yell when he was in pain, sometimes emotional pain. The caregivers started to understand how to be a ‘Peter Whisperer.’ They made him feel seen.”

Peter passed away in July at the age of 65, surrounded by family and caregivers. “When he died, his caregivers were really grieving for him,” remembers Francine. “Our family marveled at the beautiful energy they brought to the room.”

Francine is especially grateful for Peter’s caregivers who included Blessing Kafulani, Kourtney Whipple, Jessica Mays, and Cassy DeMoss to name just a few of the Porter Hills Village Health Center’s dedicated team members. “Our family remarked that we had never seen anything like this. We are touched by their support and kindness. This legacy of love is so uplifting for our family to see.”

Learn more about the variety of retirement options that Brio Living Services has to offer, or how you can become one of Brio’s dedicated, caring team members.

This blog is sponsored by Chelsea Lumber Company, a Live Life with Brio Bronze Sponsor! Your thoughtful gift brings joy to the older adults we serve and our team members.

Exhale – The Family Caregiver Initiative at Huron Valley PACE: Caring for the Caregiver

“This is killing you,” Rose C.’s doctor had told her. Rose, the primary caregiver for her husband, Pat, had lost more than 30 pounds and was struggling with her own health. Pat lives with dementia, and their three children help with his care. Their son lives with them, and their daughters live nearby and provide as much respite as they can for their mom. A home health aide visits three times a week. “Still, it’s not enough,” says their daughter, Jill, a nurse. “There is a constant need to provide care for Dad, as well as the daily chores of cooking and laundry. It’s exceedingly draining. It zaps all of our strength, all of our joy.”

First Lady Rosalyn Carter once said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.” Recent studies by Archangels and SSRS show that more than 40% of all Americans provide unpaid care for a friend or loved one. Many see being a caregiver as an honor, but it also takes its toll, whether through financial strain and health concerns, loneliness and isolation, or being stretched thin to provide care for both parents and children for those in the “sandwich generation.” Without support, nearly half of all unpaid caregivers report feeling a high level of burnout and stress. When support is available, however, there is a 70% reduction in that risk for caregivers.

At a doctor’s visit, Jill and her family received a list of local resources which included Huron Valley PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. They also learned about Exhale—The Family Caregiver Initiative, made possible by a three-year grant to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation and Huron Valley PACE from a partnership of funders. These include the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. Through the Exhale project, Pat could receive some PACE services at the Day Center, and Rose and her family could receive the respite they urgently needed. They began the program in September 2025.

Pat now attends the PACE Day Center in Ypsilanti twice a week and has also participated in one of PACE’s Saturday Respite days made possible by the program. Transportation is provided to and from the Day Center, thanks to the grant.

Jill says it’s a joy to see her dad excited to go. Her brother gets him dressed and ready. “It’s like getting him ready for school. It’s something that’s good for him,” says Jill.

Pat, who worked at Western Electric for 30+ years and then worked as a school custodian until he was in his 70s, has advanced dementia. Although he has lost much of his verbal ability, he still likes to be with other people, Jill shares. “Going to PACE gives him that opportunity to interact with team members and other PACE participants. He can exercise, play games, and enjoy activities.

“There’s a community there,” Jill continues. “Marie (Young – Day Center Supervisor) and Val (McMurtrie – PACE Recreational Aide) are beautiful. They love the participants, and it’s clear that it’s not a job, but a calling for them.”

Jill says that Marie knows Pat likes cars, so when she introduced the transportation driver to Pat, she made sure to mention his interest in the Woodward Dream Cruise automotive event in Detroit. “It was wonderful to have someone who could speak Dad’s language.”

In addition to the benefits for her dad, Jill says she has seen a shift in her mom. “Being part of the Exhale program has decreased Mom’s stress level 100%,” says Jill. “Even if she doesn’t leave the house, she has time to just be her—to read a book or to do something at home. It gives her that break she so desperately needs.”

Huron Valley PACE Executive Director, Mimi Suntheimer, says, “The most inspiring part of this work has been seeing caregivers finally take a breath—literally. Many have shared that this is the first time in months or even years that they’ve felt comfortable stepping away for themselves. Watching them relax and rediscover joy has reminded us why this work matters so deeply. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of Exhale. It has brought energy, compassion, and hope to our community, and we are excited to keep building on the momentum we have started in the first year of the program.”

Jill adds, “They say it takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to help an older adult transition at the end of their life. It’s a very hard season of life. The Exhale program has been a tremendous blessing for our family, and we are eternally grateful. What the PACE team does makes a difference.”

Last month was National Family Caregivers Month, but for millions of unpaid caregivers, it is vital to recognize their worth and their efforts every day. If you are a family caregiver, learn more about resources and Exhale programs, and take this intensity quiz by Archangels. Contact Huron Valley PACE or call 734.572.5777 to learn more about Exhale – The Family Caregiver Initiative.

This blog is sponsored by Allegra Marketing Print Mail, a Live Life with Brio Bronze Sponsor! Your thoughtful gift brings joy to the older adults we serve and our team members.

Appreciation for Brio’s Faith-Based Mission

“I thank God every day that I’m here [at Cook Valley Estates]. It’s the best thing that could ever have happened. It makes life a little easier.”—Betty Dykstra, Cook Valley Estates resident

The parents of four children, Betty and her husband, Peter, ran a wholesale potato and onion business, started by Peter’s father during the Depression. Peter managed and grew the company; Betty worked in the office and joined the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association.

One of the members lived at Porter Hills Village and arranged a tour there for an Auxiliary meeting. Betty was so impressed that she went home and told her husband about Porter Hills Village. She shares that she would bring it up from time to time with Peter. One day when they were out, he drove into the Porter Hills Village entrance.

“It was a God thing that took us to Porter Hills Village,” Betty remembers. “A sales team member who was leaving for the day saw us in the parking lot and offered to give us a tour. We liked the continuum of care it offered.”

She and Peter moved to Cook Valley Estates in 2001. “We were one of the first to move in,” says Betty. “It’s the longest I have lived in one place in my life.”

Peter passed away in 2018 after an illness, and Emmanuel Hospice (a Brio Living Services partnership) helped take care of him in their Cook Valley Estates apartment.

A 72-year member of East Leonard Christian Reformed Church, Betty says she likes the fact that Brio Living Services is faith-based. “I enjoy the chaplains and attend Bible study once a week. It’s nice to have that comfort, and I appreciate the mosaic of faiths that live here. I’m so happy we came here.”

The Dykstras have supported the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation for many years, including as Legacy Society members with a planned gift. In 2007, Peter shared, “Once you count your blessings and realize how much you’ve been blessed, you realize that you can share that blessing with others.”

Learn how you can become a member of the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s Legacy Society, or to make a gift that makes a difference in the lives of older adults TODAY!

This blog is sponsored by All-Med Medical Supply, a TwinMed Company, a Live Life with Brio Bronze Sponsor! Your thoughtful gift brings joy to the older adults we serve and our team members.

Brio Living Services Names Two New Executive Directors to Lead Flagship Communities

Brio Living Services recently announced the promotion of two of its team members to executive positions at its flagship communities, following the retirement this month of Cheryl VanBemden, Executive Director of Brio’s Porter Hills Village and Green House® Homes in Grand Rapids. VanBemden has served in leadership roles at Porter Hills, now Brio Living Services, for more than twenty years.

Kathy Russell, who has served Brio’s Chelsea-area communities since 2018, most recently as Executive Director of Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC), The Pines, and The Cedars of Dexter, will take on the role of Executive Director at Porter Hills Village and the Green House Homes, effective December 1.

“I have a genuine passion for serving older adults and ensuring their lives are filled with purpose, dignity, and joy,” said Russell. “I am eager to contribute my skills and dedication to the residents and team members of Porter Hills Village and the Green House Homes.”

Jennifer Shores has served Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) for six years, as Director of Nursing and, most recently, as Nursing Home Administrator for CRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She has been promoted to the position of Executive Director for CRC, The Pines, and The Cedars of Dexter vacated by Russell.

Shores, who has worked in the field of aging services for the past two decades, said, “I found my passion through combining nursing and administration to be able to oversee and ensure that we encompass all aspects of resident life with a holistic approach. I am really looking forward to continuing to grow with an amazing organization and being able to touch and support the entire community within CRC, The Cedars of Dexter, and The Pines.”

Nicole Maag, Brio’s Chief of Residential Services, said, “At Brio, we are dedicated to growing and preparing leaders for advancement. Jennifer’s continued dedication to excellence and growth in leadership has positioned her well for this next step. She will be a wonderful addition to the residential leadership team.”

Russell, who helped oversee the construction and renovations at CRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, completed in 2021, “brings her expertise to Porter Hills Village, currently undergoing its own major transformation to better serve older adults in West Michigan,” Maag said. “We are excited to have Kathy move to Porter Hills Village and the Green House Homes. Her many years of experience and her deep dedication to the mission of Brio Living Services will serve these communities well.”

Maag shared her gratitude for VanBemden as well: “Cheryl has been a cornerstone of both Porter Hills Village and the Green House Homes for many years. She led the charge in resident-directed care by opening the Green House Homes as its administrator and then went on to accomplish countless other initiatives which have directly benefited the older adults we serve. Her dedication to residents, team members, and families will leave a lasting legacy, one which we are incredibly grateful for.”

Learn more about Brio Living Services at MyBrio.org.

This blog is sponsored by The Architectural Group, Inc., a Live Life with Brio Silver Sponsor! We are grateful for your dedication to the older adults we serve and our team members. 

It's the season to give. Donation jar with money

Giving Tuesday, Tree of Life, and Year-End Giving Offer Variety of Ways to Support Aging Well

As the holidays approach, and we enter the season of giving, there are a variety of ways you can choose to support older adults—and our team members who provide exceptional care—at Brio Living Services. Your gift to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve and those who serve. Consider the following ways you can help!

Following Thanksgiving and a weekend of power shopping, Giving Tuesday—this year on December 2—offers a moment to shift from spending to giving, inviting people around the world to contribute their presence, perspective, and philanthropic support to the issues that matter most to them. What began in 2012 as a simple yet powerful idea—a day to encourage people to do good—has since grown into a movement embraced by tens of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across more than 100 countries.

Giving Tuesday’s popularity is largely driven by its customizable nature, allowing organizations to tailor the day’s tools and purpose to their unique mission. Individuals to participate in ways that feel meaningful to them, whether that be volunteering at a local soup kitchen, using their knowledge to spread awareness, or making a gift to a cause they care about.

Generosity shared with the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation on Giving Tuesday helps advance the mission of Brio Living Services year-round by enriching the lives of approximately 8,000 older adults across our 23 communities and service lines. From our residential living communities that provide care across the continuum of aging, to our home and community-based services like PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) that support healthy aging in place, every contribution creates a significant, local impact.

Giving Tuesday is a wonderful day to remember the causes you care about, but any day is a great day to support the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation with your annual gift.

What to give the friend or family member who has everything?

How about a gift in their honor to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s Tree of Life! With your gift of $50 or more, we will place an ornament on the Tree of Life with your name and the person you designate. Best of all, your gifts to the Foundation’s Benevolent Care Fund are currently being matched—dollar for dollar—to support our residents who outlive their savings. Make your secure gift online!

Year End Giving Options

There are additional ways you can help support the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation, while also providing significant tax savings for you! Act by December 31 to:

Learn more or call the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation at 734.433.1000 ext. 7502 or 616.577.2297.  

All of us at the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation wish you a holiday season filled with hope, peace, and love!

This blog is sponsored by Midwestern Consulting, Inc. a Live Life with Brio Silver Sponsor! We are grateful for your dedication to the older adults we serve and our team members.  

National Home Care and Hospice Month: Honoring Care That Feels Like Home

Each November, we highlight a remarkable group of professionals whose work quietly changes lives every single day. National Home Care and Hospice Month recognizes the caregivers, nurses, aides, therapists, social workers, volunteers, and support teams who bring comfort, dignity, and skilled care directly to people where they feel safest: home.

Home care and hospice have grown into two of the most compassionate pillars of our healthcare system. Their reach extends across living rooms, hospital beds, and kitchen tables where care plans and hopes are shared over a cup of something warm.

The Heart of Home Care

Home care, and our very own Porter Hills Home Health Care, is a lifeline for older adults and individuals recovering from illness, injury, or surgery. It keeps people connected to their routines, their communities, and the rhythms of daily life. Beyond skilled nursing and therapy, home care professionals become trusted partners. They notice the small things others might miss, from a change in mobility to the strength of someone determined to stay independent.

Their work helps people heal with confidence, maintain dignity, and continue writing their own story from wherever they call home. Amy Thackery, Executive Director of Porter Hills Home Health Care, has been with us since 2017 in several hands-on therapy and clinical roles, and now leads the team in providing compassionate and personalized care to its clients. Amy shares, “I love that our team has the opportunity to help older adults in their home to restore function and wellness at some of the most basic levels.  I also love the stories we hear from patients about their life experiences and backgrounds.”

Porter Hills Home Health Care is also thrilled to announce the addition of two nurses to round out its team; allowing them to better provide skilled nursing care for clients living in the Michigan Lakeshore area. Read more on this exciting news here!

The Gift of Hospice

Hospice care offers something equally profound: a circle of support that helps individuals and families navigate the final chapters of life with compassion, clarity, and peace. Hospice teams, such as our partners at Emmanuel Hospice, blend clinical expertise with emotional and spiritual support, transforming what can feel overwhelming into something gentler and deeply human.

They help families breathe, rest, understand, and cherish what matters. They create space for presence, love, and meaning. Jan Amato, Community Relations Specialist with Emmanuel Hospice, especially helps with that “understand” piece, and shares, “My role is to create relationships in the community with our partner organizations, physicians’ offices, and retirement communities. I am able to provide education of what hospice is and what it is not. There are a lot of misconceptions about hospice care, and people are often afraid of it. Once they start, though, they say, ‘Oh my gosh! I wish we would have called you sooner.’”

Emmanuel Hospice is comprised of several specialty positions, from nurses, to chaplains, to certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and more. Shannon Westgate, a CNA for four years, is especially passionate about her role and says, “I most enjoy taking care of the patients and working hands-on with them. We build a bond; they are the only ones that matter. I can provide all the extras for them and what they like best. It’s what I’m meant to do.”

Why This Month Matters

Behind every visit, every chart, and every midnight on-call shift, there is someone choosing to serve. National Home Care and Hospice Month invites us to recognize these everyday heroes and the essential role they play in our communities.

Their work helps people live fully, even in vulnerable moments. Their care eases burdens families often carry alone, and their presence reminds us that quality of life isn’t measured only in vital signs, but in connection, comfort, and compassion.

How You Can Join the Celebration

  • Leave a heartfelt Google review if you have a personal experience with services you/your family have received
  • Nominate a team member for a Promoting Our Mission (POM) Award: Click Here!
    • Look into volunteer opportunities: Click Here!
    • Write a handwritten thank you note to a team member

As November unfolds, help us take time to honor our hardworking teams at Porter Hills Home Health Care and Emmanuel Hospice. Their work is more than a service, it is a gift. To learn more about home-and-community based services with Brio Living Services, visit our website.