Brio Celebrates 2024 PACE Day at the Capitol
Three of Brio Living Services’ team members were honored at this year’s PACE Day at the Capitol in Lansing on May 22. PACE Day is an annual event to celebrate Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and provides an opportunity to advocate for older adults served at PACE centers across Michigan. Huron Valley PACE’s Lindsay Mann-Shanahan, Marketing Director, and Sonja Love Felton, Executive Director, each received Advocates of the Year recognition, while Lillian Lovejoy, Therapy Aide at Thome PACE in Jackson, received the Direct Care Worker award.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to be acknowledged for the hard work and dedication we pour into promoting PACE,” says Lindsay. “I’m passionate about spreading the word about PACE!”
Approximately 500 policy makers, including Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, community members, the PACE Association of Michigan, and PACE team members and participants were in attendance on the Capitol lawn for the event. Michigan’s 14 PACE programs were represented, including each of Brio’s PACE partnerships: Huron Valley PACE in Ypsilanti, Thome PACE in Jackson, LifeCircles PACE with locations in Holland and Muskegon, and Senior CommUnity Care of Michigan in Lansing.
This year’s theme was “Living at Home: Your Goal, Our Priority.” Attendees had the opportunity to tour the Capitol building, and a few of the groups had the chance to meet Governor Gretchen Whitmer who gave them a warm welcome.
“The PACE at the Capitol event helps to raise awareness for flexible care solutions—like PACE—for low-income older adults who wish to remain living in their homes with the help of PACE services,” says Luke Reynolds, Brio Living Services’ Chief of Home & Community Based Services. “Brio is honored to provide PACE care and services for more than 1,300 older Michiganders each year across 15 counties. We congratulate our team members who were recognized at this year’s event and thank all of our team members for the work they do each day to help older adults live with joy and independence.”
Luke Reynolds serves as Board President for the PACE Association of Michigan. Sonja Felton is also a member of both the PACE Association of Michigan and the National PACE Association boards.
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. 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.
Learn more about PACE and how you can launch a career you’ll love.