Brio Announces Community Paramedics Partnership with TANDEM365, Helping Brio Residents Receive Care In-Home, Avoid ER Visits
Brio Living Services recently announced a Community Paramedics program in partnership with TANDEM365 for its residents of Porter Hills Village and Cook Valley Estates in Grand Rapids, effective July 1, 2026. This pilot program, the first of its kind in West Michigan, will provide professional care in the home for residents who experience urgent health needs, but for whom an emergency department visit is unnecessary.
“At Brio, our residents’ health and independence come first,” said Nicole Maag, Chief of Residential Services for Brio Living Services. “Often the older adults we serve will experience an urgent health need that is more serious than a routine primary care visit but not a true emergency need. However, there has not always been any other option than to go to the ER, when the need could have been managed at home. These unnecessary ER visits place undue strain on hospital systems, create avoidable transportation and medical costs for individuals, and undermine the dignity and comfort of older adults. Brio is delighted to be able to provide the Community Paramedics program with our partner, TANDEM365, to offer the care and peace of mind, right at home, that helps our residents live as safely and independently as possible.”
The Community Paramedics program offers services, in the home, such as:
- Advanced patient assessments and treatment planning
- IV fluids, medications, and blood draws
- EKGs and cardiac monitoring
- Wound care
- Onsite testing, including blood glucose and urinalysis
- Medication review and post-acute care support
- Home safety assessments
In 2024, Brio piloted this program at its east-side communities, including Chelsea Retirement Community and The Cedars of Dexter, partnering with Huron Valley Ambulance (Emergent Health Partners) based in Ann Arbor. Because of the great success of this program, Maag says they wanted to extend it to Brio’s Grand Rapids communities as well.
“Our residents on the east love this program because it helps them avoid unnecessary emergency room visits,” said Maag. “Since its inception, more than 340 emergency room visits have been prevented in the Chelsea area thanks to this program.”
Maag added, “This partnership will give each of our residents full access to TANDEM365’s nationally recognized 24/7 Integrated Care Paramedics program at no cost.”
“This model extends beyond episodic response, providing ongoing care coordination, follow‑up, and connection to community‑based supports through a multidisciplinary team that includes nursing, social work, medical assistants, and community paramedics,” said Jason Fair, Director of Clinical Services for TANDEM365. “This structure enables in‑home treatment and stabilization of urgent medical needs, 24/7 access to a clinical team, coordination with primary care providers and Brio care teams, falls and safety assessments, chronic condition support, and clinical evaluation.”
“Avoiding unnecessary ER visits allows residents to avoid direct out‑of‑pocket expenses such as copays, ambulance bills, and post‑hospital costs not covered by insurance, while Medicare and Medicaid avoid the substantially higher costs associated with emergency and inpatient care,” said Maag. “Most importantly, the Community Paramedics program supports better health outcomes over time for our residents. It truly is a win-win.”
Learn more about the variety of senior living options and innovative programs available at Brio’s 23 communities and service lines across Michigan.
