Pat Edison Navigates Her Own Aging Journey with Avenues and Porter Hills Village!

When Patricia “Pat” Edison, former executive director for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, and her husband, Bill, moved into a Porter Hills Village townhome in 1992, he was the youngest man and she was the second youngest woman living on campus! Pat went on to live at Porter Hills Village for thirty years before her passing in 2022.

Pat was an early member of Avenues when she joined in 2012. “She was young at the time,” says her daughter, Barb Pemberton. “Mom was still very active and wanted to remain independent in her home for as long as possible. Avenues was truly a godsend. It gave Mom and the entire family peace of mind, knowing she had the systems in place to take care of her.”

Brio Living Services is in the midst of re-launching Avenues—a life plan community at home program for older adults, focusing on health and wellness and providing navigation services for its members to remain living independently in their own home. To become a member of Avenues, adults must be aged 55 or over, live independently, and medically qualify for the program. Avenues helps members preserve their financial assets as they age. Members pay an entrance fee, plus a monthly fee, and can access benefits on day one of membership.

The program also coordinates members’ care as it is needed. These benefits include a relationship with an Avenues member navigator, health and wellness coaching, and professional support in your home.

“Together, we work toward the member’s health and wellness goals,” says Paige Hendrickson, RN, Executive Director of Avenues. “It’s personalized. Our goal is to help you thrive in your aging journey.”

“Mom needed very little help from Avenues at the beginning, then used more services as her eyesight waned,” says Barb. “Paige provided rides to doctor appointments, took notes and transcribed them so Mom could read them on her computer, even coordinated someone to come and read to her. Avenues was flexible and accommodated Mom’s personality.

“Mom really lived out the philosophy of Avenues, to live as long as possible in her own home,” says Barb. “It was a blessing for our family. Mom would definitely say it was a blessing for her, too.”

See what’s right for you! As you consider the next step in your own retirement journey, learn more about Avenues as well as all of the 23 communities and service lines that Brio Living Services has to offer! Avenues offers a variety of events every month to learn about the program. Find out more and RSVP to our June events!