Rev. Jim Maxwell is a retired minister who served St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Ferndale from 1979 to 2004. His wife, Mardi is a retired social worker. Jim's jogging buddy, a Methodist pastor, had mentioned UMRC to Jim. When a neuromuscular disease limited Jim's mobility, he and Mardi decided to check it out. They moved into the Prairie Cottages in 2017.

"A great deal of vision is demonstrated at the Prairie Cottages in its lay-out that allows us to remain independent and that feels like a community within a community," says Mardi.

UMRC's Guiding Belief of Inclusiveness is important to Jim and Mardi who have made the UMRC Foundation part of their annual giving. "We appreciate the wholeness of the mission of UMRC, and its concern and care for people's well-being," says Jim. "We believe in Jesus' attitude toward the world, that no one is a stranger, and that we must minister to those who are sick and need healing. We applaud the UMRC Foundation for supporting the Benevolent Care Fund for its work in helping area seniors through its community grants."

Ann and Dick Kraft made Flint, Michigan their home for nearly 60 years. Dick was a civil engineer and owned his own company; Ann was a home economist. When it came time to retire, they chose Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC). "Because of our Methodist ties, we know about UMRC's excellent reputation," says Ann. Dick agrees: "We knew, if we needed more help as we age, we could find it here. That was reassuring."

Ann and Dick enjoy their "extended family" at CRC. They also like the fact that "we can be as active as we want to be." It's why the new McMullen Wellness Center is so appealing, and why they wanted to help make it possible with a gift to the UMRC Foundation.

"It is our habit to support the things we appreciate," says Ann. "We are so excited about the new Wellness Center." Both Ann and Dick are taking fitness classes, including water exercise in the full-size pool. "As we are living longer, it's important to keep our bodies and minds active and healthy. We're enjoying this attractive new space and want people in the future to find enjoyment in the Wellness Center, too."

Caring for others has always been a passion for Paul and Connie Schubert. Paul was a Lutheran pastor- serving as far away as the Virgin Islands- before earning his Ph.D. in psychology and starting his own counseling practice. Connie worked with children as a psychiatric clinical nurse. in 2012, the Schuberts combined their love of travel and desire to serve by participating in a mission trip to Kenya with the Dexter United Methodist Church.

Paul and Connie are "charter members" at The Cedars of Dexter where they have lived since 2010. Connie enjoys the exercise classes, while Paul loves to write the Cedar Chips group he helped launch with residents and members of the Dexter Community. "It is exactly what we had hoped for when we moved here," says Paul.

They are also members of the UMRC Foundation's Wesley Legacy Society through a gift in their estate plan. "We have a firm belief in giving back," says the couple. "We have been given a lot and want to share with others."

As members of the Wesley Legacy Society, Paul and Connie chose to support the UMRC Foundation's Benevolent Care Fund through their estate plan. To learn how you can join the Schuberts in making a lasting difference for tomorrow's older adults, contact the UMRC Foundation at 734.433.1000 ext. 7502.

Rev. Dr. Brent McCummons and his wife Marlene are residents of the Prairie Cottages at UMRC's Chelsea Retirement Community. They chose UMRC for its active lifestyle, nurturing community, and continuum of care, should they ever need it. They included the UMRC Foundation's Benevolent Care Fund in their estate gift to provide the same for tomorrow's older adults and ensure a bright future for our residents who outlive their savings.

You, TOO, can leave a lasting legacy!

Did you know that August is National Make-a-Will Month? Whether your estate plans are all set, or you're among the majority of Americans who don't have a will at all, these slower paced days of summer might be the perfect time to consider how you can leave a lasting legacy with your favorite charitable organizations.

A gift in your will to the UMRC Foundation

• Costs nothing today
• Makes a difference in the lives of older adults
• Still allows you to take care of your family

To learn more about wills and other planned giving options, contact the UMRC Foundation at 734-433-1000 ext. 7397

Julia Strimer has a passion for the environment. She, along with her fellow Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) residents, are bringing awareness to Plastic-Free July, a global cause focused on reducing waste and single-use plastic. The 2019 theme of Plastic-Free July was Choose to Refuse. To wrap up CRC’s commitment to the theme, residents were invited to view the film Inside the World’s Garbage. More than fifty residents attended the screening and participated in a discussion about waste, recycling and that we must “choose to refuse” plastic as much as possible.

Julia is no stranger to going green. As a teacher at Trenton High School, she and her students fund-raised to implement a recycling program, to provide every classroom with a recycling bin. To Julia, being environmentally friendly goes beyond Plastic-Free July. Protecting the environment requires a change in our thinking, Julia says. She adds, “to make a difference, we must become people of commitment, not convenience.”

Julia and many other CRC residents are making commitments to lessening their plastic waste and “choosing to refuse.” Residents observed that the area of campus with the most single-use plastics was dining. Residents met with Ann Marie Villarreal, Senior Director of Dining Services, and brainstormed how to work together to lessen waste.

Recently, Dining Services announced their support of Plastic-Free living. Over the past few years, Dining Services has committed to recycling plastic packing from supplies and stopped the use of Styrofoam for cups and to-go containers. Residents and Dining Services worked together to find solutions to single-use plastics in the Independent Living dining rooms. Plastic takeaway containers, for example, are convenient but have lasting impact on the planet. Every item of plastic that we have used is still on Earth. An easy way to lessen your impact is to bring your own reusable container for leftovers. As of July 29, Dining Services now offers brown paper bags instead of plastic bags for take-away meals and is stopping use of plastic straws unless requested.

Although Plastic-Free July has come to a close, there are many easy changes to lower your impact. Julia’s top tips are to have a reusable water bottle and avoid plastic grocery bags. Find more resources about plastic and waste here.

To Julia, it is important to approach the discussion of waste and plastic-free living in a positive way. She believes in building on the legacy of those who came before us. In past generations, there were no single-use plastics. People prided themselves on creating products that were built to last. Julia says, “We need to do this, not only for our children and grandchildren, but to honor the way our parents and grandparents lived.”

Tina Zimmerman was a young mom with three children in tow when she first met Howard Parr in 1993. “My husband and I were moving from California to Michigan for his job and looking for houses in Manchester, Michigan,” explains Tina. They looked at the Parrs’ house and fell in love with it. “It was gorgeous!”

Today, Tina is Chaplain Tina, part of the Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) Spiritual Life team. Her fourth and youngest daughter, Hannah, who was born in this house, now works at CRC in Life Enrichment. Howard is a CRC resident at Glazier Commons. As fate would have it, Tina’s office is right across from his apartment.

At the age of 99, Howard has written his eighth book, entitled, “The Sharon Hollow House” – as he says, “to tell her about the house she’s raised her children in.”

The Sharon Hollow House was built in 1885 by Francis Smith. In the 1920s, Henry Ford bought the house and surrounding property and built a factory nearby that made cigar lighters and stop light switches.  The factory manager lived in the house.  After Ford’s death in 1947, the house and factory were sold.  This grand house was turned into apartments and eventually fell into disrepair.

Enter Howard Parr and his wife, Lenora.  Originally from Manchester, Howard wanted to return to his roots upon retiring from Huron Valley Schools in Milford.  In 1973, in preparation for Howard’s retirement, they purchased the Sharon Hollow House as their “retirement project,” knowing the size and location of the house, surrounded by trees and farmland, would be an ideal spot for their children and grandchildren to enjoy.  Howard writes in his book: “We said it was a retirement project, and so it became, but we never regretted it as it came to give us so many pleasant years we probably couldn’t have had anywhere else.”

Over the next twenty years, the growing Parr family celebrated many happy reunions, holidays, cook-outs, and even a wedding at the Sharon Hollow House.  It was a “second home” for their grandchildren who called it “Bupie and Grandma’s House.”

In 1986, the Parrs hosted a “100 Christmases” event at their home, to celebrate the 100 years of Christmases since the house was built.  The event included the builder’s two grandsons and their wives and was co-sponsored by the Manchester Historical Society.

The Sharon Hollow House continues to be a warm and welcoming place for Tina’s family, hosting graduation parties, recitals, and family get-togethers.  Tina’s grandchildren, ages 3 and 5, also love to visit Granny and Grampy’s house, finding lots of places to hide and run around. “There is a lot of life and family in that house,” says Tina.  “That’s what makes it special,” agrees Howard.

Jeff Hall was a college student when the restaurant where he worked was visited by a “mystery shopper,” a method used by market research organizations and companies themselves to measure quality and customer service.   It made such an impression on Jeff that he founded his own market research company, Second to None, in Ann Arbor.

Today, he and his partner, Chad Losey, Director of Business Development, continue to be passionate about excellent service.   So, it is doubly meaningful that Chad and Jeff support UMRC with their gifts and volunteering – Chad as a member of the UMRC Foundation Board, and Chad and Jeff as sponsors and 2019 co-hosts of the Foundation’s 10^th annual Garden Party fundraising event.

“One of our first connections to UMRC was the Garden Party,” shares Chad.  “It is such a huge opportunity to spread the word of the mission of UMRC and the UMRC Foundation.  We are excited that this year’s event will help create the Kresge Courtyard and Wellness Walk at Chelsea Retirement Community.  It will provide a very family-friendly atmosphere where residents, grandkids, and community members can make memories.”

As Chelsea residents, Chad and Jeff feel it is important to give back.  “We want to support this great entity in Chelsea and want to have a nice place for our parents and ourselves someday.  By supporting UMRC, we are strengthening the vitality of Chelsea, and we feel we have a responsibility to do so.”

“UMRC can support you in every stage of life, with wonderful care and beautiful amenities and grounds,” says Jeff.  “It is truly shifting the perception of what retirement living can be.”

National Skilled Nursing Care Week is one of the most important events of the year for nursing homes.  Held annually since 1967 and always beginning on Mother’s Day, National Skilled Nursing Care Week is May 12-18, 2019. The observance is sponsored by the American Health Care Association and recognizes the role of skilled nursing care centers – like UMRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Chelsea – in caring for America’s older adults and individuals with disabilities.

Caregiver Spotlight – “It has been an interesting journey.”

Nadine Byrum, R.N. has seen a lot of changes in the healthcare field over the years during her career as a nurse, including two decades at UMRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.  “From paper records to computers, dial phones to texting, and moving to a more homelike atmosphere,” says Nadine.  “It has been exciting to be part of all that has evolved at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC).”

Nadine is now involved as a member of the Action Pact steering team as UMRC implements the culture change model of care at the Kresge Center. “It is always a challenge to start something new, but I am excited to be part of working toward a more positive experience and a feeling of home for the older adults in our care.”

“I feel so close to the residents,” says Nadine.  “Each person has their own stories, wants and needs.  It has been an honor to meet them and to get to know their families.  I am thankful for those who have allowed me to be their friend.”

“She builds such close connections and relationships with the residents, their families, and her co-workers as well,” adds Kathy Russell, Associate Executive Director for CRC.   “Her longevity and devotion to our residents is such an asset to the quality of care we provide to older adults and the camaraderie among our staff.”

“We have so many caring people here in every department,” says Nadine.  “It is my pleasure to be part of the CRC team.”

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens designated May as “Senior Citizens Month”, which would eventually become Older Americans Month. At the time, only 17 million Americans had reached their 65^th birthday. In 2000, 46 million Americans were over the age of 60. By 2020, that number is expected to reach more than 77 million (acl.gov). Now more than ever, it is important to prepare and invest in services for older adults. To raise awareness about Older Americans Month and aging, LeadingAge is celebrating weekly topics that celebrate older adults. This week’s focus is affordable senior housing.

Affordable housing for older adults is vital to support an aging population. Thome Rivertown Neighborhood (Rivertown) is the first and only affordable assisted living development in Detroit, Michigan. Rivertown provides a unique opportunity for affordable housing and supportive in-home services available to older adults with low incomes. Rent levels are set to be affordable for persons aged 62 years and older with limited incomes. Tenants can also receive Medicaid-funded services in the privacy of their own home. United Methodist Retirement Communities and Presbyterian Villages of Michigan have joined forces to develop a unique home for seniors with low incomes in Detroit. With long histories of caring for seniors throughout Michigan, both organizations have committed their expertise, compassion and resources to allow seniors with low incomes in Detroit to age with independence, comfort, respect and the care they need. Rivertown promotes quality of life for seniors, supporting privacy, independence and dignity by offering high-quality, around the clock care.

“I couldn’t be in a better place. I’m so thankful,” one Rivertown resident says. Before discovering Rivertown through the Detroit Area Agency on Aging, he was living in an “old place that wasn’t up to par.” Now, thanks to the affordable housing and services of Rivertown, he loves his apartment and is grateful not to worry about anything. “The staff are tremendously nice and always ask if there is anything else I need.  They take good care of me.”  

Thome Rivertown Neighborhood is an innovative example of affordable housing for older adults. To learn more about The Thome Rivertown Neighborhood, visit http://umrc.com/communities/the-thome-rivertown-neighborhood/.

UMRC and the UMRC Foundation are fortunate to have board members with expertise in a variety of areas related to senior care.  One such example is Henry (Hank) Paulson, M.D., Ph.D., who serves on the UMRC Foundation board.  Dr. Paulson is the Director of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center and the Lucile Groff Professor of Neurology for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders in the Department of Neurology at the University of Michigan.

On April 25, the UMRC Foundation was pleased to host this renowned physician and researcher to provide an educational program on “Advances in Alzheimer’s Research.” A packed crowd was on hand in the Dancey House theatre of UMRC’s Chelsea Retirement Community to hear what Dr. Paulson had to say.

Dr. Paulson spoke about several areas of promising dementia research, as well as wellness initiatives and caregiver support.  “As we live longer, there is more likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia,” said Paulson.  “However, there are aspects of our health that we can control to help reduce our risk factors, such as getting enough sleep and exercise, eating well, and controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  You can make your brain better.”

Chelsea Retirement Community resident Helen Brockmeier was one of the 70+ who attended the event.  “It was fascinating!” Helen said.  “I’m here because of medical miracles.  It’s great to hear about medical miracles that are on the horizon.”

Wendy Brightman, President of the UMRC Foundation and Porter Hills Foundation, thanked Dr. Paulson for sharing his expertise.  “UMRC Foundation is blessed to have Dr. Paulson serve on our board since 2013, and we are thrilled he could be here today to share his knowledge with our residents.”

Dr. Paulson’s presentation is part of UMRC and the UMRC Foundation’s initiatives that focus on healthy aging and wellness, including the new McMullen Wellness Center located at Chelsea Retirement Community, and hosting workshops on May 24 led by Teepa Snow, dementia expert and founder of the Positive Approach™ to Care.  For more information, contact Becca Weil in the UMRC Foundation office at 734-433-1000 ext. 7424.