Author: Ryan Winiarski

LifeCircles PACE – Perry Babcock, FNP: Creativity and Teamwork

When nurse practitioner Perry Babcock, FNP walks into the LifeCircles PACE Day Center in Holland, “the participants light up,” says day center supervisor Betsy Schutzenhofer. “They enjoy talking to him and not just about medical issues. He has a caring heart and people sense that.”    As a primary care provider at LifeCircles PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), Perry sees participants for scheduled preventive health screenings and […]

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Caregiver Spotlight – Melissa Williams, Gentle Compassion

Melissa Williams works the night shift as a Memory Care Support RCA (Resident Care Assistant) at UMRC’s Towsley Village Memory Care Center, a Positive Approach® to Care (PAC) “Participating” organization. A PAC certified coach, Melissa cares deeply about the residents she serves who live with dementia. “They are truly amazing human beings,” says Melissa. “To help […]

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Libby Brightman: New Experience and New Appreciation for Caregivers

“Direct care was not something I ever thought I would be doing,” says UMRC human resources business partner, Libby Brightman. But when the call went out to recruit other team members to assist as caregivers at UMRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (Kresge Center), she answered that call. “I was nervous about it at first, […]

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Answering the Call to Support Caregivers at UMRC’s Kresge Center

What do a human resources business partner (Libby Brightman), a director of donor relations (Karen Owen), a life enrichment coordinator (Josie Pezzullo), and a sales advisor (Nicole Adams) all have in common? It turns out, a very big heart for the older adults they serve at United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC). When the call went […]

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Exercise: Helping Residents Have Fun and Stay Physically Active at UMRC

Staying physically active plays a vital role in healthy aging. The McMullen Wellness Center at UMRC’s Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC), highly popular with CRC residents, celebrated its opening a year ago, but is now off limits due to COVID-19. Tony Maino, Director of Lifestyle and Health, and the Life Enrichment team were determined to maintain […]

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Not all heroes wear capes. Some, like Jamie Bell of UMRC’s Housekeeping team, wear gowns, masks, and face shields.

Jamie’s day starts at 7:30am in UMRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Since COVID-19, her job as a housekeeper has never been more important to keep residents and team members safe. “I come in and put on my personal protection equipment (PPE), then get my cart, wipe it down, fill up my supplies, and get […]

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