For twenty years, Sarah Middlebrook has served older adults at United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC). She was first hired as a caregiver at Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center while the state-of-the-art Towsley Village Memory Care Center was being built. Once completed, Sarah began working at Towsley Village as a Resident Care Assistant (RCA). “I really enjoy being able to take care of people,” says Sarah.
Next, Sarah became the Scheduler at UMRC’s Chelsea campus, a position she held for eight years before getting the opportunity to work closer to her home in Jackson. Sarah now serves as the Executive Assistant at Thome PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), a partnership between UMRC and the Region 2 Area Agency on Aging. Thome PACE provides for the medical, social, and supportive needs of older adults who are nursing home eligible, but are able to live independently in their homes and communities, thanks to the help of PACE services.
“I like the people, of course!” says Sarah when asked what she enjoys about her work at UMRC. “I like that UMRC takes care of their employees as well as the residents and that we genuinely care about those we serve.”
In her 20 years with UMRC, she has also witnessed the exciting growth of the organization including the Thome Rivertown Neighborhood in Detroit and three of the state’s ten PACE centers, including Thome PACE in Jackson. “I think it is wonderful how much UMRC has expanded to care for older adults in other communities like Jackson, Ypsilanti, and Lansing.”
Married for 34 years, Sarah has two grown children and one 9-month-old granddaughter. Sarah’s son works the night shift in UMRC’s environmental services department.
Sarah believes in giving back through the UMRC Foundation’s payroll deduction program. “With a lot of people giving a little, we can accomplish so much,” says Sarah, whose gifts support the Foundation’s Benevolent Care Fund for residents who outlive their savings. “I love that it gives residents the security of knowing they will be taken care of.”
For more information on making a gift to the UMRC Foundation, contact 734.433.1000 ext. 7502.