Brio Living Services Celebrates National Milestone of 200 PACE Programs Nationwide
Brio Living Services is proud to share that PACE, or Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, has reached a significant milestone with the operation of 200 PACE programs across the United States, spanning 33 states and the District of Columbia, according to the National PACE Association.
PACE provides comprehensive medical and social services to more than 100,000 older adults, aged 55 and over, enabling them to live safely in their homes and communities rather than transitioning to nursing home care.
As operator and partner of five PACE sites across lower Michigan, Brio Living Services is honored to congratulate its friends at PACE Northeast Michigan in Alpena for opening the 200th PACE program in the nation and marking the 15th PACE program in the state.
“This is a tremendous milestone for our state and the entire PACE community,” said Luke Reynolds, Chief of Home and Community Based Services for Brio Living Services. “Since joining the PACE movement in 2012, it has been both an honor and a privilege to work alongside so many dedicated professionals who truly understand the profound impact this care model has on their communities. Witnessing the thoughtful, purposeful growth of PACE here in Michigan and across the country is incredibly rewarding.”
This community-based model of care is designed to serve older adults with complex health care needs who qualify for a nursing home-level of care but prefer to age in place. Introduced 55 years ago in San Francisco by On Lok, PACE offers seniors, their families, and caregivers an integrated, person-centered alternative to institutional care.
As a result, PACE has demonstrated a measurable impact on quality of life: 94% of PACE participants are able to continue living in their communities, supported by coordinated care that addresses medical, social, and functional needs, all at significant savings compared to the cost of nursing home care. “One month in PACE is only half the cost of a month in a nursing home,” said Reynolds. “This reduces Medicaid expenditures AND taxpayer burden.”
“PACE stands out as the most dignified and effective way to care for people who wish to remain living independently in their homes,” said Reynolds. “Personally and professionally, I am fulfilled knowing that the PACE teams I support within Brio Living Services are currently serving 1,300 older adults across our five Michigan PACE sites. These include LifeCircles PACE in Muskegon and Holland, Huron Valley PACE in Ypsilanti (with a second center under development in Monroe), Thome PACE in Jackson, and PACE of Southwest Michigan in St. Joseph—which is preparing to open a second center in Niles this spring.”
In recent years, PACE has tripled its rate of growth, coinciding with a pivotal moment for the nation’s healthcare system. By 2030, all Baby Boomers will be age 65 or older, and by 2034, adults over 65 will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. “This is something we are already experiencing in the State of Michigan,” said Reynolds.
This historic demographic shift brings urgent challenges for older adults and their families, including access to affordable housing, caregiver support, workforce shortages, long-term care financing, and the integration of technology to improve safety and independence. PACE directly addresses these challenges by offering a sustainable, outcomes-driven model of care for older adults with complex needs.
“I am continually humbled by the unwavering commitment of our PACE team members,” said Reynolds. “Every day, they support older adults’ desire to stay in their homes, while diligently mitigating and preventing risks such as social isolation, medication mismanagement, fragmented care, falls, mental and cognitive changes, and caregiver burnout. Their dedication is making a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults and their families, and it’s inspiring to be part of this journey.”
Reynolds added, “Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this milestone. The future of PACE is bright, and I am excited to see how we will continue expanding and enriching communities throughout Michigan and beyond.”
For more information about Brio Living Services and its PACE sites, please visit MyBrio.org. To learn more about PACE and the National PACE Association, visit npaonline.org. To find a local PACE program, please visit npaonline.org/find-a-pace-program.
This blog is sponsored by Jim and Marie Preston, Live Life with Brio Bronze Sponsors! Your thoughtful gift brings joy to the older adults we serve and our team members.
