Providing Quality, Loving Care for People Living with Dementia

In honor of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, we recognize and thank all our UMRC & Porter Hills team members who provide quality, loving care each day for people living with dementia.

In 2016, the UMRC Foundation received a Healthy Aging grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to bring Positive Approach® to Care (PAC) training to our team members, families, and the broader community. Founded by Teepa Snow, PAC is an innovative, person-centered, medically-proven caregiving program designed to improve quality of life and reduce stress for those with living with dementia and their care partners. In 2019, after nearly three years of partnering with PAC, UMRC’s Towsley Village was recognized as a PAC Participating Organization (https://teepasnow.com/relationships/pac-designation/pac-designated-organizations-and-participating-organizations/). UMRC's Towsley Village is one of four organizations nationwide to meet this criteria.

The following Chelsea Retirement Community team members recently completed successful recertification as PAC coaches, engagement leaders, trainer, and consultant:

• Coaches – Anthony Anderson, DCS; Caprisha Johnson, DCS; and Melissa Williams, RCA
• Engagement Leaders – Kori Rochefort, Assisted Living Life Enrichment; and Josie Pezzullo, Skilled Nursing Life Enrichment and Household Coordinator
• Consultant – Linda Madden, Assisted Living Social Worker
• Coach and Trainer – Katie Garvey, Dementia Care Specialist

Recertification requires one on one meetings with PAC mentors and submission of recorded interactions with residents to demonstrate PAC skills. Many of these team members were early adopters of PAC and have provided leadership in shifting our culture of care to better meet the needs of those living with dementia in our community. They have grown in their awareness and knowledge to recognize unmet needs and personal preferences of those living with dementia to meet them where they are on their journeys. They lead others through their exemplary interaction skills and proactive care partnering.

We are grateful to all team members whose dedication to the mission and values of UMRC & Porter Hills shows in the quality of their service to others. To learn more, visit https://mybrio.org/.