How Avenues by Brio Living Services Supports Family Caregivers
The journey of caring for an aging loved one is often described as a labor of love, but it can also be an overwhelming responsibility that tests even the most dedicated family members. As our population ages, more adults find themselves in the role of family caregiver, trying to balance their own lives while ensuring their loved ones receive the care they need. This is where Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) programs, like Avenues by Brio Living Services, emerge as a vital support system, offering comprehensive solutions that benefit both older adults and their loved ones.
Family caregivers often face a complex web of responsibilities. From managing medications and coordinating medical appointments to helping with daily activities and decision making, the role can be all-encompassing. We found for many active caregivers, it can begin to affect their own health and wellbeing.
Avenues by Brio Living services, the first and only CCaH program in West Michigan, works as a partnership with members and loved ones, providing professional support while allowing older adults to maintain their independence at home. Avenues is a forward-thinking program designed for those who want to take a proactive approach to aging.
The program offers several key benefits:
Personalized Care Coordination
- A dedicated Member Navigator who becomes familiar with each member’s individual needs and wishes
- Regular check ins to assess possible changes and adjust care plans accordingly
- Coordination between healthcare providers, even if that means accompanying a member to an appointment
Home-Based Support Services
- Home maintenance and safety modifications as needed
- Transportation services for medical appointments and social activities
- Meal preparation and nutritional guidance
At Avenues by Brio Living Services, we are well-aware that caregiving for your loved one can often consist of more than medical and care needs. Avenues even offers a monthly wellness credit to its members. This credit can be used on various needs, including fitness classes and personal training, massage therapy, and much more. Avenues aims to support individuals in all aspects of wellness, with the hope of keeping them as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
One of the most valuable aspects of Avenues is the expert guidance it provides. Family caregivers often struggle with making crucial healthcare decisions or knowing what is appropriate. An Avenues Member Navigator is a trained professional, typically a nurse or social worker, and will help members navigate the entire healthcare system. This could include insurance needs, recommending appropriate services and support and assisting in the planning of future needs. Member Navigators can attend appointments and provide education on health conditions and further needed resources.
Because of its innovative model, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Avenues has specific eligibility guidelines: participants must be 55 or older, live independently at the time of application, and be in reasonably good health.
This is not a program to turn to after a major health event or a loss of independence—Avenues is for those who want to stay ahead, not catch up.
What does this mean for families? It means the conversation should start early. Many individuals in their mid-60s to early 70s are already choosing Avenues as a thoughtful and strategic step toward a secure, independent future at home.
The proactive approach of Avenues helps families avoid crisis situations and maintain stability. By addressing potential issues before they become emergencies, Avenues can reduce hospital visits, maintain a member’s overall health, provide cost-effective solutions for long-term care needs, and allow families to plan ahead with confidence.
Avenues by Brio Living Services and CCaH programs represent a modern solution to the age-old challenge of caring for our aging loved ones – especially if their preference is to remain in their own home and out of a care setting. Avenues is proud to state that, since its inception in 2002, not a single Avenues member has required moving into a nursing home for care.
We invite you to embrace the uniqueness of Avenues and be a son or daughter again. Let our Member Navigators and trained professionals provide all the help your loved one needs. If you’d like to learn more about Avenues, check out our website and attend a future event!