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Beyond the Table: Celebrating National Nutrition Month® at Brio Living Services

During Careers in Aging Month, we are delighted to feature some of the many careers that help us all to age well. As March is also National Nutrition Month®, we salute all those who help to bring delicious, nutritious food to the table for the older adults we serve.

As March draws to a close, we also say goodbye to National Nutrition Month®. This year’s theme for the month-long celebration is Beyond the Table. “National Nutrition Month this year is focused on more than just what you eat, but also on the sustainable food practices, where food is sourced, reducing food waste, making healthy choices, proper food safety and storage, and how to have a more mindful approach to food,” explains Ann Marie Villarreal, Senior Director of Dining Services at Brio Living Services.

At Brio Living Services, good nutrition isn’t just something to think about in March. “For our residents within Brio, Dining Services helps support these practices each and every day,” says Ann Marie. “We have culinary standards in place that focus on freshly prepared meals and locally-sourced foods as much as possible.” For Ann Marie and the dedicated team members that make up Dining Services, it’s not enough for food to just be nutritious—it has to taste good, too. “Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to eat plain and bland food,” she says. In fact, even though Dining Services chooses to avoid added salt, the food is seasoned so that residents are surprised to learn this. “They often assume we salt our food when seasoning due to the flavor experience they enjoy at the table.”

Though nutrition is a daily focus for Brio, National Nutrition Month® has not gone unnoticed. For instance, The Cedars of Dexter dining team offered weekly specials of healthy, delicious entrees like chicken tandoori with brown rice, and, most recently, halibut en papillote. At Chelsea Retirement Community, Chef Keith Darlington has offered cooking demonstrations for healthy snacks in celebration of National Nutrition Month®, incorporated into the new Balanced Living pilot program which offers creative wellness opportunities to benefit the mind, body, and spirit.

For older adults, nutrition is as important to think about as ever. Ann Marie recommends using MyPlate as a guide for constructing meals that have all the types of foods needed to stay healthy as we age. “As the Senior Director of Dining Services, I am proud that, from shore to shore, our menus offer a variety of options: fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean proteins, to give residents the option to choose a healthy meal with each dining experience,” she says.

As with any official month celebration, it’s a valuable reminder of what’s important, and how to build healthy habits. Ann Marie points out that “National Nutrition Month® allows for us to remind residents that our practices and standards encompass healthy options each and every day.”

You might be surprised to know that there are a wide variety of careers in aging to choose from at Brio Living Services. Learn more about a career you’ll love in Dining Services at MyBrio.org.

 

Huron Valley PACE Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Serving Older Adults 

Dignitaries Honored Organization’s Decade of Dedication

Huron Valley PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, celebrated its 10th Anniversary with A Decade of Dedication Open House event at the PACE Day Center located in Ypsilanti, Michigan on Friday, March 8.

Several dignitaries were on hand to commemorate the event and deliver proclamations, including U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI 6th District), State Representative Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (District 32, Ypsilanti), and Annie Somerville, Board of Commissioners Washtenaw County (District 6, serving the City of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township, and Superior Township) who also serves as chief of staff to State Senator Jeff Irwin. Stephanie Winslow, Executive Director of PACE Association of Michigan, was also in attendance.

“I am a champion of PACE at the national level,” said Rep. Dingell. “All other work is possible when those you love are cared for. I can’t wait to be at the 20th anniversary of Huron Valley PACE.”

A family member of a PACE participant, Teresa Spencer, shared her experience. “Huron Valley PACE is so wonderful, and I especially appreciate the food pantry and the chance for respite that PACE provides me. I preach PACE wherever I go.”

A program of Brio Living Services, Huron Valley PACE serves the psycho-social, medical, and supportive needs of low-income, nursing home-eligible adults, aged 55 and up, helping them remain living independently and safely in their own homes, with the help of PACE services. Huron Valley PACE’s service area includes Washtenaw and Monroe counties, as well as parts of Oakland, Wayne, and Livingston counties. Since opening in 2014, Huron Valley PACE has served approximately 700 older adults.

Huron Valley PACE Executive Director, Sonja Love Felton, LMSW, who also serves on the Board of Directors for both PACE Association of Michigan and the National PACE Association, thanked the more than 200 guests in attendance, as well as Lead Sponsors for the event, IntusCare and Zilke Farm Kitchen, and other event sponsors. “I am grateful to all of you for your support of PACE over the last decade and for your collaboration that makes our work possible in caring for older adults. I especially want to thank our incredible team at Huron Valley PACE for the passion, love, and commitment they demonstrate each day to bring joy and well-being to our participants and to elevate our mission.”

Other sponsors included Cedar Woods Assisted Living and Memory Care, Hometown Pharmacy Long-term Care, Homewatch CareGivers, and Transmed at the Ancillary Sponsor level; and Disability Made Easy, Huron Valley Ambulance, Interim Healthcare Home Care, Lemonaides Home Care, LLC, Medical CareAlert, Mobile Medical Supply, and Reliable Medical Transportation were Community Sponsors. Brio Living Services and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. provided in-kind support.

“This 10-year anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Huron Valley PACE,” said Brio Living Services President & CEO, Steve Fetyko. “By partnering with older adults and their families and caregivers, Huron Valley PACE fulfills a critical need in the community—older adults live where they want to live, and their caregivers are exceptionally supported by the full PACE interdisciplinary team.”

Brio Living Services is one of Michigan’s leading providers of PACE services with five sites statewide, serving more than 1,300 older adults annually across 15 Michigan counties.

PACE’s interdisciplinary team of professionals 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, behavioral health, home care, and door-to-door transportation. Most participants are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and pay no additional fees for PACE services. 

To learn more about Huron Valley PACE, visit HuronValleyPACE.org or call 734.572.5777. 

L to R: Stephanie Winslow, PACE Association of Michigan; U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI 6th District); Sonja Love Felton, Huron Valley PACE; State Representative Jimmie Wilson, Jr., (District 32, Ypsilanti); Annie Somerville, Commissioner, District 6, Board of Commissioners Washtenaw County.

 

Mia Larson: Fulfilling Her Dream of a Career in Healthcare 

Since she was a kid, Mia Larson always wanted to work in healthcare. She completed her CNA training at Kent Career Technical Center while still a high school student. As part of the program, Mia says, “There was a mock practice interview with Porter Hills Village. Then I got a real interview. I started working there right out of high school.”

Today, Mia is a Shahbaz in Brio Living Services’s Green House® Homes in Grand Rapids. Considered the “gold standard” for long-term skilled nursing care, the Green House Homes utilizes the Household Model of person-centered care for its residents. In the Green House Homes, a Shahbaz takes care of everything related to providing for an elder and running the household. Mia says her favorite thing about her job is “working with a good team and being able to help people and brighten their day. It’s like working with a big family. Everyone takes care of each other.”

Thanks to a Scholarship from the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s Team Member Support Services Fund, Mia is now pursuing her R.N. degree. “I am grateful for my scholarship,” says Mia. “Financially, it’s really helping and taking a lot of stress off going to school, and it shows our organization cares about its team members. It helps that I can work, and it motivates me more to continue my education.”

“Mia is an informal leader, and she uses that gift to support the team,” says Trisha Watkins, Nursing Home Administrator and Guide for Porter Hills Village Health Center and the Green House Homes. “She shows great care and compassion for our elders and engages with them beautifully.” One example is when Mia fulfilled a “bucket list” item for one of her residents who had always wanted to try oysters. “This meant a lot to the elder and those around her.”

While not always easy, Mia says working with older adults “is definitely rewarding. You’ll learn so much from working with them, and they’re very caring. You really feel appreciated.”

Learn more about a Career You’ll Love at Brio Living Services!

Senior adult (Indian and African descent) couple cooking dinner together at home. They are enjoying their retirement years as they work together to chop healthy vegetables for a salad.

Embracing Home with Avenues: The Wise Choice for Older Adults

As we age, the concept of ‘home’ takes on a deeper significance. It’s not just a physical space; it’s a repository of memories, a place of comfort, and a symbol of independence.

Remarkably, a striking 93% of older adults express a desire to remain in their own homes as they age. This overwhelming preference isn’t just about familiarity; it’s rooted in the significant benefits that independent living offers. At Brio Living Services, we understand and value the fact that not everyone is interested in a move to one of our communities. Read more on why staying in your home may make the most sense for you and how Avenues by Brio Living Services can help you do just that.

Why Choosing Home Matters

  1. Familiarity and Comfort: Our homes are tailored to our tastes and needs. This familiarity provides comfort and a sense of security that is crucial for mental and emotional well-being.
  2. Community and Connections: Living at home keeps older adults connected to their local communities. Maintaining these connections is vital for social health and can help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness.
  3. Autonomy: Independence in one’s own home allows for greater autonomy. This control over daily life is important to many adults as they age and contributes to a higher quality of life
  4. Cost-Effectiveness: Staying at home is possibly more cost-effective than moving to specialized housing. With the proper support and depending on your needs, adapting one’s home for aging can be a financially savvy choice.
  5. Personalized Care: Aging in place allows for tailored care that adapts to individual needs over time, ensuring that personal preferences are respected.

Continuing Care at Home: A Model That Respects Your Choice

Recognizing the desire for independence, Brio Living Services has re-launched Avenues, a Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) model designed to support this choice. This approach respects the value of remaining in your own home, providing the necessary support and resources to make this a viable and safe option. CCaH offers a range of services – from wellness and health care to home maintenance – ensuring that you can enjoy the comforts of home without compromising on care and assistance.

Choosing to remain independent in one’s own home is a reasonable and increasingly common preference among older adults. The CCaH model aligns perfectly with this choice, offering an empowering blend of independence and support, ensuring that aging in place is not just a desire, but a practical and fulfilling reality. Brio Living Services aims to provide a diverse set of communities and services, to meet the needs and desires of the most older adults possible.

If you’re considering staying in your home while you age, we encourage you to learn more about our new program, Avenues by Brio Living Services. Avenues is a Continuing Care at Home program that is a strong advocate for allowing older adults to age in their homes while lowering their costs for care. Join us at an upcoming education session, or contact us directly at 616.914.1172.

LifeCircles PACE and Mobile Dental Partner Bring Healthy Smiles to Participants

Dental health is often neglected among older adults, particularly those with lower incomes, lack of insurance, and mobility challenges. A 2022 study by the Journal of Personalized Medicine shows that as many as 78% of older adults have experienced some tooth loss. This can have a significant impact on overall health and has even been found to have ties to cognitive impairment and dementia.

A program of Brio Living Services, LifeCircles PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), with locations in Holland and Muskegon, Michigan, has partnered with Enable Dental, providing at-home dental services—at no cost—to PACE participants, both in their homes and at the PACE Day Center locations.

PACE serves the psycho-social, medical, and supportive needs of low-income, nursing home-eligible adults, aged 55 and up, helping them remain living independently and safely in their own homes, with the help of PACE services. Most participants are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and pay no additional fees for PACE services. 

“Quality and timely dental care can be difficult for beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid to access,” explains LifeCircles PACE Executive Director, Heidi Gras, LMSW. “Traditional Medicare does not cover dental care, and there aren’t many dental providers who accept Medicaid, due to the historically low reimbursement rates. Though Michigan Medicaid updated its reimbursement rates in 2023, there are many people who have had no or inadequate dental care for much of their lives. Untreated dental issues can greatly impact quality of life and overall health. Dental pain can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even poor nutrition or unintentional weight loss. Some studies have linked gum disease to an increased risk of dementia. LifeCircles partners with our members to help them reach their wellness goals. We are excited that our new partnership with Enable Dental will allow us to offer accessible and timely dental services at no cost to those who use our program.”

Director of Clinical Services at LifeCircles PACE, Shauna Wishka, PA-C, agrees: “Enable Dental’s focus on relationships, service, and accessibility aligns with our mission to serve people who may not be able to use traditional medical offices. Their team is skilled in offering dental care to individuals who may have significant dental anxiety or pain, which is exactly the type of personable care that our members expect from LifeCircles. Having the dental group at our locations frequently is a great benefit to the PACE members who use our program.”

One such LifeCircles participant is Scott Haverdink. “It’s a life changer,” says Scott, who recently received care and new upper dentures from Enable Dental. “They got me in, took care of it, and it was great,” says Scott. “They’ve been able to provide everything right on site. It will be nice to actually be able to eat a decent meal and not have as much issues.”

“Since starting this partnership, I think the thing that has surprised me the most is how much people enjoy going to the dentist after having not gone for a long time,” says Heidi. “They’re really excited to get here.” 

Enable Dental offers not only cleanings and denture fittings, but root canals, crowns, extractions, and more. Enable Dental Regional Manager, Amanda Gushura, says, “It is probably the most rewarding experience because our patient base tends to be overlooked. They tend to be the ones that don’t go to the dentist regularly because of a variety of different reasons. Seeing that they’re able to get the care they need is the most rewarding part of this job.”

Heidi adds, “PACE programs serve people who predominantly use Medicare and Medicaid for medical coverage. We are proud to improve access to dental care for folks who may have had challenges finding affordable, quality care in the past.”

PACE’s interdisciplinary team of professionals 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, behavioral health, home care, and door-to-door transportation.

Thank you to Fox17 News for covering this story! Learn more about LifeCircles PACE and Brio Living Services’ other PACE sites across Michigan.

Celebrating Senior Independence Month at Brio Living Services

February is National Senior Independence Month, which celebrates the many ways older adults can continue to be self-reliant, as well as the community services and adaptations that make independence more accessible for so many. At Brio Living Services, we believe that respecting and preserving the autonomy of the older adults we serve is a crucial part of our calling. “Wellness” is one of our guiding beliefs, which is detailed as, “In partnership with our team members, we attend to mind, body, and spiritual wellness, as well as the independence, engagement, and joy for all we serve.” Some of the opportunities we provide that encourage independence are independent living locations, Avenues, and PACE programs.

Brio Living Services offers a range of options for independent living on both the east and west sides of the state. Independent living residents can live in a beautiful, freestanding home or private apartment, with yard work and maintenance included. Our communities are rich in amenities and opportunities for socialization. We also offer a continuum of care for those who may need more support in the future.

One of our independent living residents, Evie Bowers, lives in Dancey House on our Chelsea Retirement Community campus. She says she appreciates that, while independent living residents who drive are free to do so, for those who choose not to or are unable to do so, the WAVE bus partnership provides free transportation to residents who need it. She also enjoys the many activities for residents at CRC. Evie shares that “There are many games to stimulate our brain activity like group crosswords, spelling bees, bridge, euchre, trivia, dominoes, Rummikub, and bingo. There are many varied exercise options and groups like balance, yoga, stretching, equipment, aqua strength, drumming, seated volleyball, corn hole, and hiking.” She also enjoys socializing at the new resident and birthday celebrations. “All these activities help with keeping our bodies, minds, and emotions in balance, while we meet new people and develop friendships,” says Evie. “This helps us retain our independence.”

For older adults who want to make sure their support needs are met while retaining the independence of living at home, Brio is 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. Covered services are based on assessed needs and include home health aide services, medical transportation, personal emergency response technology, home safety evaluations and, should it become necessary, assisted living and skilled nursing—either in a Brio community or through other local care partners.

At Brio Living Services, a core part of what we do is provide care for older adults of any socioeconomic group. In fact, our first residential community, founded in 1906 in Chelsea, MI, was created to provide an alternative to the county “poor house” for older adults of limited means. Though much has changed since 1906, Brio’s commitment to serving low-income older adults has not. We continue to provide care and promote independence through affordable housing independent living options and our PACE programs.

Our Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE®) are designed to help low-income older adults remain independent in their own homes and communities rather than move to a nursing home. PACE participants receive medical and supportive services in our state-of-the-art Day Health Centers. PACE also offers a variety of services that can be provided in the comfort of the participant’s home. Most participants have both Medicare and Medicaid and pay no additional fees for PACE services.

Nancy Kosola, a participant at Huron Valley PACE in Ypsilanti, says of her experience, “When I first enrolled in the PACE program, I was bedbound. I received physical and occupational therapy in my home. Both Rati (physical therapist) and Janet (certified occupational therapy assistant) came out to my home and provided therapy. They never gave up on me. They helped me gain confidence and got me to where I am now today. I am using a walker independently, and I have my life back.” She adds, “I can’t thank PACE enough for all that they have done for me.”

Because of the immense mental and physical health benefits for older adults who maintain independence, it will always be key in all we do at Brio Living Services. One independent living resident, Ann Kraft, put it this way: “I value being able to make my own decisions regarding my finances, health care/fitness, volunteerism, travel, and daily activities, along with whatever physical, mental, and emotional abilities they require.” To learn how to access our many resources and services for yourself or a loved one, visit our website.