Celebrating Older Americans Month: Wellness Activities Help Ensure Brio’s Affordable Living Residents are Powered by Connection

Each May, we celebrate Older Americans Month and honor their contributions to our communities. This year’s theme, Powered by Connection, however, takes a look at how staying connected helps support independence and healthy aging by combatting isolation and loneliness for older adults.

“I used to dance the cha cha when I was younger,” said one resident as she got up to join the dance and fitness class. “This is so much fun!”

Older adults who call The Thome Rivertown Neighborhood in Detroit home are enjoying a variety of dance and fitness classes and NuStep recumbent bicycles, thanks to a Thome Aging Well grant from Enterprise Community Partners. This two-year grant is providing wellness activities for each of Brio Living Services’ Affordable Living communities across the state.

Thome Rivertown Executive Director Julia Szuper says she has seen a difference in the residents as a result of the exercise and dance classes offered. “Post COVID, the opportunity to offer classes has greatly improved socialization among our residents. These activities focus on physical and mental health and wellness and provide peace of mind and chances to interact with each other. This spills over into sitting together at meals and socializing.”

Lora Stafford and Charles Hayes provide instruction at Rivertown. Lora is a master trainer and program coordinator for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. Charles is a military veteran and dance instructor for more than 25 years.

Rivertown resident Regina Glenn loves the chance to exercise: “It gives me energy. Lora makes it fun and does everything with us.” Resident Robin Taylor agrees. “Lora is great, and she helps beyond exercise with giving us information on nutrition and the benefits of different kinds of foods.”

At Brio’s Affordable Living communities in the Kent County area, residents have also enjoyed a variety of exercise and music appreciation classes, thanks to the Enterprise grant. Service Coordinator Mary Rynbrand says, “My office is across the hall from the class at Bailey’s Grove [Affordable Living community], and I absolutely loved to listen to the music and laughter each week. I frequently would sing along in my office and tap my feet. The instructor had a wonderful rapport with the residents. The joy the residents experienced made my heart happy.”

Norma Taylor, a resident at Harvest Way Affordable Living community, shares, “As soon as I moved in, they made me feel welcome. Living at Harvest Way has made me more social. Before I felt like I was in a cocoon. I should have moved here a long time ago, as soon as I retired. Now I have companionship.”

Brio Living Services’ Chief of Residential Services Nicole Maag says, “At Brio, we believe the field of aging services must embrace the desire of older adults to experience meaningful engagement, holistic wellness, and lifelong learning. Brio’s goal is to create environments and foster opportunities for older adults to grow, experience, and engage!”

Learn more about Brio Living Services’ Affordable Living Communities and support Life Enrichment for older adults with a gift to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation.