Embracing Innovative Dementia Care for Brio Residents and Community 

Brio Living Services cares deeply for its residents who live with dementia and their families. It’s why we have embraced the Positive Approach to Care® (PAC) across the organization. Founded by Teepa Snow, PAC is an innovative, evidence informed, dementia education program. It is designed to improve the care environment through awareness, skills, and competencies that reduce stress for those living with dementia and their care partners.

PAC was implemented first at Towsley Village Memory Care Center at our Chelsea campus. This year, our team earned the PAC Designated Organization status at the Aware Level. Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) is one of just two retirement communities in Michigan to receive the PAC Aware designation.

“Integrating PAC skills into daily routines and broadening the range of activities that our team members can offer our residents living with dementia is invaluable,” says Linda Mammel, Towsley Village Memory Care Program Manager and PAC Certified Independent Trainer. “By using PAC techniques in support of our residents, we have seen a decrease in challenging behaviors of those living with dementia and an increased ability of our team members to deescalate situations.”

At Porter Hills Village, Dementia Care Specialist Stephanie Troeger is a certified PAC Coach and is committed to ensuring the Memory Support and Health Center care team members are trained and comfortable with using PAC techniques with residents living with dementia. This includes “PAC Skills Make the Difference” training in September, offered twice a day/two days a week, weekly huddle meetings, and other training on a quarterly basis.

“Overall, PAC training is helping team members know how to best approach and interact with residents living with dementia,” says Stephanie. “In turn, our residents feel more secure and are more willing to participate in their care.”

Dining team members are also encouraged to participate in PAC training. “People living with dementia may startle easily because their vision is greatly reduced,” says Stephanie. “It’s a real ‘a-ha’ moment when team members realize the importance of where to place a resident’s dinner plate, for example, so they can see it.”

Many Brio team members across the organization are involved in the community with the Alzheimer’s Association, including participating in the Walks to End Alzheimer’s. Linda Mammel is a volunteer Community Educator with the Alzheimer’s Association and offers monthly meetings at CRC, each covering a different topic, as well as PAC training. Linda Madden, Towsley Village Social Worker, holds monthly support groups for family care partners. Both community members and resident families are invited with over twenty attendees each time.

Mammel adds, “Through better understanding of brain changes that are part of the dementia journey, PAC training helps to preserve positive relationships for both the care partner and the family member with their loved one, providing moments of personal connection and joy.”

Learn more about how Brio Living Services’ Memory Care and Support programs promote vibrant aging for those living with dementia. Best wishes for joy and peace in the New Year!