Celebrating Long-Term Care Administrator’s Week!

Starting Monday, March 13, Brio Living Services celebrates National Long-Term Care Administrator’s Week! During this week, we have the opportunity to say “thank you” and honor the administrators who lead our long-term care communities across the organization, as well as our many dedicated team members who provide long-term care and services.

Long-term care includes medical as well as non-medical care, such as activities of daily living. These supports may be provided in the person’s home or community, or in assisted living and skilled nursing centers.

“Each day our members give their all to assure their communities are equipped to provide high quality care and services to the elders in their care. They embody servant leadership by putting the needs of their patients, residents, families, and co-workers ahead of their own,” said Bob Lane, CNHA, FACHCA, President & CEO of the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) in a press release. “The staff of ACHCA is honored and privileged to know them and to support their professional development through the College.”

Administrators are key players in the care team and are entrusted with the responsibility of managing the care of our loved ones. They touch the lives of residents and families and, most importantly, ensure that their teams provide the highest level of quality care to a vulnerable population.

“I love being able to enrich the lives of our residents in whatever capacity that may be,” says Jennifer Shores, RN, LNHA, administrator for Chelsea Retirement Community’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. “Some days or weeks are very challenging, but the rewards on other days make up for that. It is those little moments you see in our residents’ lives that show we made a difference.”

ACHCA says long-term care administrators are “masters of multi-tasking” as well as “life-long learners” when it comes to the ever-changing regulatory environment in which they work. Jennifer agrees that this can be challenging.

“I tend to deal more with finances, processes, and employee satisfaction and retention which allows my team, then, to provide the incredible care for our residents,” says Jennifer. “Our team members cannot provide care for others unless they themselves are cared for. We constantly look at ways to improve processes and programs to make their jobs easier, but yet still work within our guidelines and regulations. I think Brio Living Services is always looking out for its team members. If there is a way to make it happen, then we will do it. Healthcare is challenging, and keeping team members engaged and feeling like they are making a difference in the lives of others is a priority for me.”

Jennifer adds that, for her, seeing the joy and pride in her team members when they know they are making a difference for a resident or family is what she personally loves.

“Life can be hard outside of work for our teams, even more so in the last few years of a pandemic and inflation,” says Jennifer. “Our team members are more than what we see when they are at work. We cannot do what we do for our residents without them.” 

To learn more about choosing a senior living option that’s just right for you or a loved one, visit Brio Living Services. Or, if you’re looking for a rewarding career you will love, see the many opportunities at MyBrioCareers.org.

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Discovering the Not-For-Profit Difference

At Brio Living Services, we are proud to uphold our mission, vision, and guiding beliefs, all of which are based on our founding principles and faith-based heritage. These values are reflected in our status as a not-for-profit organization. But what does that actually mean to you and to the residents, elders, participants, and team members we serve? Should you factor in a community’s not-for-profit status when making a decision to live or work with us? 

When making the decision to move to a retirement community, you have the obvious factors; location is key, as is the right mix of amenities. But did you know that whether the community is for-profit or not-for-profit may also make a difference in your decision-making process? Along with the comfort of living in a welcoming, resource-filled community, not-for-profit retirement communities also provide a variety of unique benefits not found in other for-profit options. Their mission-driven approach to retirement living is exclusively focused on providing quality older adult care and support - not on generating a profit.

The many benefits to choosing a not-for-profit Brio Living Service community or service include: 

What you pay for is what you get: While not-for-profit organizations do need to make money to operate, they are not motivated by profit, meaning the money you spend is directly invested in the maintenance and operation of the community. You’re investing in your home and community, not profits or shareholders. You will notice this difference reflected in each of our Brio Living Service communities upon taking a tour, with carefully planned annual capital projects and the meticulous maintenance of our buildings and homes.

The focus is on you, not on ROI (Return on Investment): At a not-for-profit community, the team members are dedicated to service and ensuring residents receive the personalized attention they need and deserve. As noted in the Irving Levin Associates Report, for-profit communities focus less on mission and mainly on ROI, which means keeping operational costs low and occupancy high: “For-profits are looking to maximize cash flow and shareholder returns by increasing revenue and squeezing costs to the lowest level,” explained James M. Moloney, Head of Real Estate and Co-Head of Tax-Exempt M&A at Cain Brothers in San Francisco. “They’re run from a financial return perspective, as opposed to the mission-in-perpetuity perspective of the not-for-profits.”

Mission Driven: At Brio Living Services, our mission is welcoming all, partnering together, enriching lives. Through our vision of a world in which all are empowered to age well and our guiding beliefs of integrity, wellness, inclusiveness, stewardship, excellence, and community, we strive to create an environment for all residents, participants, elders, team members, and families to live well. It is these values that are at the heart of each and every decision made at not only the community level, but at the very top with our Board of Directors and President and CEO. Whether it is providing the best possible quality of care or fostering a supportive environment for our team members, you can trust Brio Living Services has your best interests in mind.

Better Team Members, Better Care: Brio Living Services is committed to employing compassionate and dedicated individuals and nurturing their personal and professional growth. A portion of profits that go back into our operations budget include the staffing it takes to run each community and business line. This allows Brio Living Services to pay top-tier wages, offer unique benefit  and wellness packages, and retain the best talent in the area. Continued education tuition reimbursement, onsite and virtual leader retreats, and CNA paid training are just a few ways we support our team members’ professional growth. At Brio Living Services, we truly value our team members and know the importance of what they provide to our residents, participants, and elders on a daily basis.  Learn more about the many reasons to choose Brio Living Services as a workplace at www.MyBrioCareers.org.

Business Transparency and Connectivity: Brio Living Services and not-for-profit organizations offer complete transparency to all shareholders. This means accessible information on the state of the organization, as well as annual reports and messages from the President and CEO. Likewise, not-for-profit boards of directors represent the communities and services they serve, so instead of focusing on their own individual financial interests, board members look out for the interests of those in our care every day.

Faith-Based Heritage: Our faith-based roots date back to 1906 and signify the Christian values of respect, compassion, diversity, generosity, partnership, and service. While we are guided by our Christian heritage, we are accepting of and open to all, regardless of faith or any aspect of human diversity. We welcome all older adults to access our services, affirming our guiding belief of inclusiveness. “Brio Living Services was built on a cornerstone of faith, and we live out that faith each day in the care and services we provide for older adults and their families, as well as our team members.  offers a faith-based distinction that sets us apart among other U.S. senior living agencies,” says Steve Fetyko, President and CEO of Brio Living Services.

UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation: The UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation is the fundraising arm for Brio Living Services. Its mission: As faithful, philanthropic stewards and steadfast advocates for vibrant aging, we support the mission of Brio Living Services. Driven by a philosophy of faith and a calling to serve older adults, the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation was created with Benevolent Care as its cornerstone. The Benevolent Care Fund is the safety net, ensuring that qualified Brio Living Services residents who outlive their financial resources, always have a loving home at one of our communities. In addition, the Foundation’s other fundraising initiatives include: Team Member Support Services, offering competitive Scholarships for team members who wish to advance in their careers, and Emergency Aid to support team members in times of crisis, Capital Improvements, and Life Enrichment programming.

Discover the Not-for-Profit difference for yourself! Whether you’re looking for the next step in your career, or looking for a new place to call home, know that Brio Living Services can help you along that journey. Learn more about careers, services, and communities at www.MyBrio.org.

Spotlight on Recreational Therapy Month: Having Fun While Improving Physical and Mental Health for Older Adults

February is Recreational Therapy Month, and we are delighted to feature our Recreational Therapy team at Thome PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) in Jackson, Michigan. Recreational therapy is an important tool that helps older adults reconnect with activities they once enjoyed—or discover new ones—all while improving their physical and mental health, as well as their cognitive function.

“The number of benefits to recreational therapy are endless,” says Thome PACE Recreational Therapist Supervisor Maegan Zurawski. “We do a variety of programs with our participants that focus on the five domains of wellness: social, physical, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual. The cool thing about recreational therapy is that our participants do not even realize they are doing therapy. For example, a game of UNO engages our participants and gets them having fun, laughing, and smiling. But we’re also working on hand-eye coordination, sequencing, activity tolerance, and matching—all parts of their cognition. They are also working on social skills and interacting with others.”

Maegan and fellow recreational therapist at Thome PACE, Amanda Vreeland, say what they enjoy most in their work is “Having fun and engaging with our participants. Seeing our participants laugh and smile is one of the best things.”

Maegan explains that many PACE participants felt isolated or lonely, or were unable to leave their home, prior to enrollment in the PACE program. “We provide our participants with outings to restaurants, museums, the zoo, the county fair, and more to help them get out and be active and engaged.”

Pre-COVID, Thome PACE served at least 80 participants per day at its Day Center in Jackson. “Once COVID hit, we had to get creative and began home visits,” says Maegan. “Some participants were very isolated, so we would sit and socialize with them, or bring card and word games to play with them. Even though our Day Center is now partially open, we still provide home visits to those who are not completely comfortable being in a bigger group setting. We can provide recreational therapy opportunities in the comfort of their own home.”

Thome PACE participants enjoy outings, card games, arts and crafts, as well as more active games such as bean bag toss and horseshoes, says Maegan. “We seek input from our participants and try adding new activities into the mix.”

For those participants living with dementia, recreational therapy also helps maintain a good quality of life. Says Maegan, “Especially for our participants with advanced dementia, we engage one on one with them, using music and sensory/tactile items such as stress balls, pop its busy blankets, and sensory boards to engage them. A simple smile from listening to a song they might remember is a huge win.”

Maegan and Amanda are extremely passionate about recreational therapy and share that a big part of their work is educating others about what recreational therapy is and why it’s important. “I love providing education whenever I can to help people understand it is so much more than ‘playing games,’” says Maegan. “Our participants want to take part in therapy when they are having fun. Little do they know they are also working on their goals to get stronger, walk better, have better balance, etc. An active game like tossing a bean bag can help them with these goals while also engaging with others, socializing, and hopefully feeling less isolated and lonely. Recreational therapy is very important—we focus on quality of life.”

Brio Living Services is one of Michigan’s leading providers of PACE services with five sites statewide, serving approximately 1,200 older adults annually across 15 Michigan counties. Thome PACE in Jackson serves low-income, nursing home-eligible older adults, 55 and up, across Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale counties, allowing them to live safely and independently in their own homes and communities, thanks to PACE services. PACE’s interdisciplinary team of professionals—including recreational therapists—provides participants with a “one-stop” shop model for all their healthcare needs, including comprehensive medical, occupational and physical therapy, pharmacy needs, nutrition and meals, health education, social and recreational activities, and door-to-door transportation. Most participants are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and pay no additional fees for PACE services. 

For more information about Brio Living Services’ PACE locations across the state, go to PACE’s website or visit MyBrio.org.

National Caregivers Day

Every year on the third Friday of February, we celebrate National Caregivers Day, when we honor the caregivers in our lives, both paid and unpaid, for the compassionate support they provide to those who need extra care. Providers Association for Home Health and Hospice Agencies (PAHHHA) instituted National Caregivers Day in 2015, and it was first celebrated in 2016. 

Brio Living Services’ caregivers include certified nurse assistants (CNAs), Resident Care Assistants (RCAs), and direct care supervisors, to name just a few of the many caregiving positions we offer at Brio Living Services, all of whom provide direct care on a daily basis for the older adults we serve. The job of caregiver can be challenging, but there are benefits as well. “At the end of the day, it’s tough, but it’s very rewarding,” says Dee Williams, an RCA at Towsley Village, the memory care center at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC). Interacting with the residents makes the challenges worth it for her. “Anything to make the residents laugh. That is my goal, to make their day a little bit easier.” 

Dee has been a team member at Towsley Village for 17 ½ years, and, during that time, she has learned many important lessons. What has been the most valuable lesson? “Patience,” she says. “Patience is extremely valuable to these residents.” This skill has translated to her personal life as well. “It also made me have more patience out in the world,” she says. 

Her favorite thing about being a caregiver is, “The residents,” she says. “I love my residents. Every day is different. Each one has their own special personality, so your job is never the same.” She adds, “The sense of humor they have is amazing.” 

Dee loves her job so much that she recruited her daughter, Jayda Stephenson, to be an RCA at Towsley Village as well, where they are group partners in the same neighborhood. “We work together every day, and the residents love that,” Dee says. “They get a kick out of it. They don’t remember our names, but they remember we’re mother and daughter.” Dee recalls bringing Jayda to Towsley Village when she was around 2 years old for Parents’ Day, and now Jayda has worked there with her mom for about 3 years. 

All of us at Brio Living Services want to wish our dedicated, compassionate caregivers across the organization a Happy National Caregivers Day! Thank you for all you do to care for older adults and their families! 

Interested in becoming a caregiver for Brio Living Services? Visit our job openings page to learn more about a career you’ll love. 

Lora Underwood: A Cheerleader for Health and Wellness

Since 2015, Lora Underwood has been offering health and wellness classes and activities for the residents living at The Thome Rivertown Neighborhood Affordable Assisted Living in Detroit.  Lora offers classes two days a week for one hour each, including chair aerobics, strength building exercises, stretching, and flexibility. 

“In general, I try to encourage as much movement as possible so older adults can stay active and mobile,” says Lora.  “They get really excited when we play music from their era.  Activities with music, such as line dancing, help motivate movement.”

Upon retiring from the Michigan Court of Appeals after 36 years of services as a judicial assistant, Lora followed her passion for health and fitness by becoming a master trainer and program coordinator for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. 

Chronic diseases such as arthritis and kidney disease can make movement more difficult, Lora says, but “if they keep moving, it helps.  I understand the extra effort it takes to come to exercise, for example, residents who are on dialysis.  I encourage them to work at their own pace and do what they can do.  I say, ‘Challenge yourself and you’ll be surprised at what you can do.’  Your body will thank you.”

Says Lora, “I enjoy my job, and I enjoy older adults.  I love seeing the joy on their faces when we interact.  It feels good to be part of their health and well-being.  You have to have a heart for older adults; they can tell when you care.  I’m their cheerleader.”

To support Health and Wellness through the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s Life Enrichment initiative, contact the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation at 734.433.1000 ext. 7397 (east) or 616.577.2297 (west). Or click here to make a secure online gift.

Researching retirement communities can be daunting, and you may realize there is much more to it than you thought. Between price structures, locations, and levels of living, it can feel like a whole new language to learn! At Brio Living Services, our Sales Advisors are here to help! We aim to provide unbiased information, about not only the living options we offer at Brio Living Services, but about options available throughout the state as well. We always encourage our future residents to do their research and find what truly works for them.

Upon starting your search, a common question is, “what is the difference between independent living and assisted living?” Both independent living and assisted living have their own  benefits, and throughout our blog we will decipher the differences between the two and provide some helpful tools for your search.

Living Accommodations

Living spaces can differ for very particular reasons in independent living and assisted living. Typically, an independent living accommodation is larger than assisted living in square footage, and often may have more than one bedroom. It may vary from an apartment style, all the way to a ground level, stand-alone home. Typically, an independent living residence will have a full kitchen with appliances, washer and dryer, and sometimes even a garage. An assisted living accommodation will most likely be an apartment style home, with an open layout, to navigate safely and easily throughout. Appliances are not necessary  or included, as assisted living residents receive more services and amenities than independent living residents.

Services Provided

This is where future residents will likely find the most significant differences between independent and assisted living environments. In independent living communities, services received are based on ensuring a convenient lifestyle for residents. These types of services include, but are not limited to, housekeeping, interior and exterior maintenance, and dining options. The hope is that independent living residents spend less time on “chores,” and more time enjoying the lifestyle at the community. Assisted living services differ greatly because of the care provided for each resident. 24/7 staffing is a key part of assisted living for residents who require more care. Highly trained team members such as social workers, memory care specialists, and registered nurses work together to provide individualized care plans for residents within an assisted living community. Team members are available at the push of a button to ease the minds of residents and loved ones, providing assistance with activities of daily living (or ADLs) like hygiene assistance, bathing and dressing, and medication management. At Brio Living Services, we know it can be difficult to know if you or a loved one are ready for assisted living. Learn more about signs to look for that you or a loved one might be ready for a move to assisted living.

Amenities Included

Amenities offered in independent and assisted living settings are often similar. Both settings will offer robust monthly activity and event calendars, though the types of events may vary between the two groups. Events like happy hours, trips to museums, book clubs, discussion groups, and art exhibits, are all common social and cultural recreation opportunities that ideal communities will offer. Often, both settings will also provide on-site fitness centers with instructors and classes, transportation options, and engaging common spaces such as libraries, theaters, and chapels. Many communities also provide common outdoor spaces, featuring walking paths, cutting or community gardens, and putt-putt courses!

Cost Structures

Cost structures between the independent living and assisted living environments will differ greatly. Independent living options may offer both a rental option and an entrance fee option. An entrance fee model, in short, is a percentage refundable (upon move out) amount that is paid prior to a move in, with an additional monthly fee to cover the services mentioned above. The cost structure for assisted living is typically a rental model, with those monthly rates being higher than an independent living model rental, due to the care and scope of additional services being provided to the individual. Assisted living cost structures may vary from community to community between tiered-level pricing based on needs, and all-inclusive rates. Both independent and assisted living costs are typically paid out of pocket, although some Long-Term Care insurance policies may cover portions of assisted living costs. Utilities, telephone, internet, and cable services may or may not be provided in both cost structures; this is a good question to ask while researching options. We encourage customers to utilize our helpful checklists to help aid in your retirement community search.

We often find that many new customers starting their research associate retirement communities with a highly medical, hospital-type atmosphere, when in most cases, that could not be further from the truth. Both environments aim to add peace of mind and convenient, fulfilling lifestyles for residents. Many residents tell us that they wish they would have made the move sooner! Brio Living Services strives to provide environments where residents don’t just survive, but thrive within the community. We look forward to helping you learn more about independent and assisted living options at Brio Living Services at www.MyBrio.org.

Could we change this to more positive language? Maybe something about learning the differences, etc. [AB1]

Does this mean that they are not typically included? Or not allowed? [AB2]

“Find your passion, your interest, and let that be your cause.”

Debbie Steggles, Brio Living Services’ Senior Executive Director of Affordable Housing, follows these words in her career and in her giving to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation. 

Debbie’s career began in the recreation field, but when she began to look for “a career stretch”, she came upon Cook Valley Estates where she became the director in 2000. 

“I knew of Porter Hills because it’s where my husband’s grandmother wanted to move when she needed more care,” says Debbie. “She moved to Porter Hills Village Assisted Living at age 88 and lived there for almost ten years. Knowing of the safety net of Benevolent Care was a blessing, and she did receive assistance in her later years.”

Debbie’s commitment to giving back began at that time through her Payroll Deduction gifts to the (then) Porter Hills Foundation. “I believe in paying back what you get,” she says. “John’s grandmother was a great example of how the Benevolent Care Fund was there when she needed it.”

When the Foundation’s Team Member Support Services Fund, including Scholarships and Emergency Aid, was launched for team members on the west side, Debbie began to support both funds. “When you see how the Emergency Aid Fund is there for your employees, it’s very meaningful. It makes you want to help refill that bucket.”

To learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of the older adults we serve, and our team members, visit Foundation.UMRCPH.org. 

No Scale New Year

For many, January is a time to reset your mind and think on new goals and personal improvement. Those goals all depend on the person; some may choose more time for self-care, spending more time with family, vacations…the possibilities are endless. At Brio Living Services, our vision is “a world in which we are empowered to age well.” It is our hope is this vision translates to not only our residents, participants, elders, and families, but to our team members, too.

That is one reason why Jessica Finley, Benefits and Projects Manager, facilitates the “No Scale, New Year Challenge” annually for Brio Living Services team members. Jessica’s program features an easy-to-use activity card with items such as stress relief, balanced meals, movement, and more. Participants track the items they complete weekly for a chance to win a drawing for a wellness prize! Jessica says, “My favorite thing about the No Scale, New Year Challenge is that it offers a variety of different health and wellness goals for team members to strive for. Some believe that if you focus on just physical wellness and maintain a healthy weight, then you are a healthy person. Health and wellness is more than just a number on a scale. There are many different scopes of wellness, which is why we are educating team members on a variety of topics this month.” With the challenge now in its third year, Jessica has seen over a 30% increase in team member participation!

Another key feature in the No Scale New Year Challenge are the weekly webinar offerings. The featured webinars include topics pertaining to the importance of sleep, financial wellness, and even a “how to” on meal prep with one of our Chef Managers, Tyson Washington.

Chef Tyson is passionate about participating in the challenge this year, having been on his own personal health journey for more than a year. He says, “Living healthy has not only changed my thought process to certain situations, but has also helped with sleeping better, clothes fitting better, and just feeling better overall.”  Meal prepping has been a key factor for Tyson’s success to better health, stating, “I hope I can share with other team members how meal prepping can help with portion control and saving money!” Tyson’s other piece of advice when starting a journey to better health is to identify your “why” and to stay consistent.

The No Scale New Year Challenge provides fun, easy ways for team members to connect and share ideas to adopt long lasting lifestyle habits. It hopes to help break the stigma of failed New Year’s resolutions! At Brio Living Services, our team members have a lot of responsibility to bring their best selves to work, and we strive to do all we can to support their wellness. To learn more about how Brio cares for our team members, visit www.MyBrioCareers.org. 

New Year, New You

As a new calendar year begins, many of us take this time to evaluate where we are in our lives and make New Year’s resolutions to motivate us to be the best versions of ourselves. If coming up with goals is overwhelming, try breaking it down into three categories:

1. Ways to better your body
2. Ways to better your mind
3. Ways to better the world

Creating goals in each area can help you live a healthier life, inside and out.

Many people make New Year’s resolutions in the first category—losing weight is a common goal. But there are other ways to make our bodies healthier other than changing a number on a scale.  These may include focusing on eating healthy foods, exercising three times a week, or even making sure to get eight hours of sleep per night.

Bettering our mind could mean anything from enrolling in a class that piques your interest, to seeking medical treatment for a mental health struggle. Bettering your mind could even be something as simple as reading more books; you could plan to read one new book a month or make a book list for the year.

Making the world a better place is something most of us want to do, but it can be hard to know where to start. Consider what causes matter to you, and what you can do to help. You could volunteer at the local animal shelter or get involved in the children’s ministry at your church. If you don’t have enough time to spare, consider donating supplies to your local women’s shelter or soup kitchen. And, if finances allow, you could make a monetary donation to a nonprofit whose mission is important to you, or even schedule monthly giving.

When looking at organizations to support, we hope you’ll keep the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation in mind. A gift from you has tangible results, whether your interest is in Team Member Support Services, Capital Needs, Life Enrichment, or the Benevolent Care Fund, at the heart of all we do. Your donation goes directly toward making life better for our team members and the older adults we serve.

Make a Gift Now 

As you make commitments to yourself this January, consider ways to hold yourself accountable. Make sure you write down your goals in a place you can return to often. Tell a trusted friend your plans and ask them to check in with you regularly on your progress.

Sometimes, everyone needs a little extra motivation. Rewarding yourself when you reach your goals or milestones can fill that need. A reward can be something as small as an ice cream cone or as large as a special vacation. Think about what motivates you, and what is realistic for your budget. Ultimately, the best reward will be the resulting improved physical and mental health, and the joy of knowing you are making a difference in others’ lives.