Exhale – The Family Caregiver Initiative at Huron Valley PACE: Caring for the Caregiver

“This is killing you,” Rose C.’s doctor had told her. Rose, the primary caregiver for her husband, Pat, had lost more than 30 pounds and was struggling with her own health. Pat lives with dementia, and their three children help with his care. Their son lives with them, and their daughters live nearby and provide as much respite as they can for their mom. A home health aide visits three times a week. “Still, it’s not enough,” says their daughter, Jill, a nurse. “There is a constant need to provide care for Dad, as well as the daily chores of cooking and laundry. It’s exceedingly draining. It zaps all of our strength, all of our joy.”

First Lady Rosalyn Carter once said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.” Recent studies by Archangels and SSRS show that more than 40% of all Americans provide unpaid care for a friend or loved one. Many see being a caregiver as an honor, but it also takes its toll, whether through financial strain and health concerns, loneliness and isolation, or being stretched thin to provide care for both parents and children for those in the “sandwich generation.” Without support, nearly half of all unpaid caregivers report feeling a high level of burnout and stress. When support is available, however, there is a 70% reduction in that risk for caregivers.

At a doctor’s visit, Jill and her family received a list of local resources which included Huron Valley PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. They also learned about Exhale—The Family Caregiver Initiative, made possible by a three-year grant to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation and Huron Valley PACE from a partnership of funders. These include the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. Through the Exhale project, Pat could receive some PACE services at the Day Center, and Rose and her family could receive the respite they urgently needed. They began the program in September 2025.

Pat now attends the PACE Day Center in Ypsilanti twice a week and has also participated in one of PACE’s Saturday Respite days made possible by the program. Transportation is provided to and from the Day Center, thanks to the grant.

Jill says it’s a joy to see her dad excited to go. Her brother gets him dressed and ready. “It’s like getting him ready for school. It’s something that’s good for him,” says Jill.

Pat, who worked at Western Electric for 30+ years and then worked as a school custodian until he was in his 70s, has advanced dementia. Although he has lost much of his verbal ability, he still likes to be with other people, Jill shares. “Going to PACE gives him that opportunity to interact with team members and other PACE participants. He can exercise, play games, and enjoy activities.

“There’s a community there,” Jill continues. “Marie (Young – Day Center Supervisor) and Val (McMurtrie – PACE Recreational Aide) are beautiful. They love the participants, and it’s clear that it’s not a job, but a calling for them.”

Jill says that Marie knows Pat likes cars, so when she introduced the transportation driver to Pat, she made sure to mention his interest in the Woodward Dream Cruise automotive event in Detroit. “It was wonderful to have someone who could speak Dad’s language.”

In addition to the benefits for her dad, Jill says she has seen a shift in her mom. “Being part of the Exhale program has decreased Mom’s stress level 100%,” says Jill. “Even if she doesn’t leave the house, she has time to just be her—to read a book or to do something at home. It gives her that break she so desperately needs.”

Huron Valley PACE Executive Director, Mimi Suntheimer, says, “The most inspiring part of this work has been seeing caregivers finally take a breath—literally. Many have shared that this is the first time in months or even years that they’ve felt comfortable stepping away for themselves. Watching them relax and rediscover joy has reminded us why this work matters so deeply. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of Exhale. It has brought energy, compassion, and hope to our community, and we are excited to keep building on the momentum we have started in the first year of the program.”

Jill adds, “They say it takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to help an older adult transition at the end of their life. It’s a very hard season of life. The Exhale program has been a tremendous blessing for our family, and we are eternally grateful. What the PACE team does makes a difference.”

Last month was National Family Caregivers Month, but for millions of unpaid caregivers, it is vital to recognize their worth and their efforts every day. If you are a family caregiver, learn more about resources and Exhale programs, and take this intensity quiz by Archangels. Contact Huron Valley PACE or call 734.572.5777 to learn more about Exhale – The Family Caregiver Initiative.

This blog is sponsored by Allegra Marketing Print Mail, a Live Life with Brio Bronze Sponsor! Your thoughtful gift brings joy to the older adults we serve and our team members.