Walking to End Alzheimer’s at Brio Living Services
Sue Krichbaum’s journey with Alzheimer’s began with her father, Tom Mattingly. Tom lived near Chicago, and Sue and her husband, Joel, would make trips every other weekend from Chelsea, MI to check on Tom and his partner, Tilly, as Tom’s health began to decline. After one especially difficult weekend, they knew Tom needed more care and made the transition to Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC)—first to Dancey House and then to Towsley Village Memory Care Center.
Sue and Joel spent nearly every day with Tom at Towsley Village and were impressed with his care. “The team was always so patient, loving, and caring of my dad,” says Sue. “It touched my heart in such a great way. It’s difficult to leave your loved one with someone you don’t know, but it was made much easier knowing he was loved and cared for.”
Tom passed away nearly one year ago. Sue’s husband suggested they should start volunteering at Towsley Village. Sue went one better. “From our experience with my dad, I knew I wanted to be part of it,” says Sue of the Towsley Village team. She began to look for administrative opportunities and, seven months ago, transitioned from a twenty-year career with Milan Area Schools’ special education program to CRC’s Assisted Living Coordinator position.
Sue shared her experience with walkers at CRC’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, held on the CRC campus on September 12. “If there is anything I can do to contribute to finding a cure, whether telling my story or sharing with others so they know they’re not alone, I want to do it,” says Sue.
As we commemorate World Alzheimer’s Month in September, it is important to remember the nearly 7 million Americans who are living with Alzheimer’s, or other forms of dementia, along with their care partners. One in three older adults dies with the disease and, between the years 2000 and 2021, deaths from Alzheimer’s more than doubled.
At Brio Living Services, our team members across the organization are doing all they can to help put an end to the disease that affects so many individuals and families by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®. More than 600 communities nationwide hold these events which have become the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Individual gifts and a variety of activities from plant sales to bake sales led up to CRC’s recent Walk to End Alzheimer’s, bringing in more than $6,800.
Team members and residents at Porter Hills Village in Grand Rapids have plans in the works as they gear up for a Purple Parade on October 1 at the Porter Hills Village campus. Other activities include a hamburger cookout fundraiser and elephant ear sales. Team members will also participate in Grand Rapids’ Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, October 26.
Brio’s PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) programs also participate in their communities’ Walks to End Alzheimer’s. LifeCircles PACE, with locations in Holland and Muskegon, is a sponsor of the Muskegon Walk to End Alzheimer’s on October 19, including ‘The Barking Lot’ for furry friends who will join the Walk. Located in Ypsilanti, Huron Valley PACE team members will participate in the Ann Arbor Walk to End Alzheimer’s on October 20.
Located in Jackson, Thome PACE team members participate in the Lenawee County and Jackson County Walks (September 29 and October 5 respectively). Community Relations Specialist, Laura Covey, serves on the Lenawee Walk committee and volunteers at the event; Community Relations Director, Jade Clark, volunteers at the Jackson County Walk, including set up.
“At Thome PACE, we are dedicated to empowering older adults to live independently in their homes, even when facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s and dementia,” says Jade. “We all know someone—be it in our personal or professional lives—who has been touched by this devastating disease. Supporting the Alzheimer’s Walks in Jackson and Lenawee County, along with the vital programs, education, caregiver resources, and research provided by the Alzheimer’s Association, goes hand-in-hand with our vision for empowering older adults to age well in their communities. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected, offering hope, support, and resources for a brighter future.”
Brio Living Services invites you to join us and show your support at any of these Walks to End Alzheimer’s, or to participate in a Walk near you. Learn more about the outstanding care—including the Positive Approach to Care®—Brio provides for individuals living with dementia, and their families.