Huron Valley PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, celebrated its 10th anniversary with A Decade of Dedication Open House event at the PACE Day Center located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on Friday, March 8.
Several dignitaries were on hand to commemorate the event and deliver proclamations, including U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI 6th District), State Representative Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (District 32, Ypsilanti), and Annie Somerville, Board of Commissioners Washtenaw County (District 6, serving the City of Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township, and Superior Township) who also serves as chief of staff to State Senator Jeff Irwin. Stephanie Winslow, Executive Director of the PACE Association of Michigan, was also in attendance.
“I am a champion of PACE at the national level,” said Rep. Dingell. “All other work is possible when those you love are cared for. I can’t wait to be at the 20th anniversary of Huron Valley PACE.”
A family member of a PACE participant, Teresa Spencer, shared her experience. “Huron Valley PACE is so wonderful, and I especially appreciate the food pantry and the chance for respite that PACE provides me. I preach PACE wherever I go.”
A program of Brio Living Services, Huron Valley 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. Huron Valley PACE’s service area includes Washtenaw and Monroe counties, as well as parts of Oakland, Wayne, and Livingston counties. Since opening in 2014, Huron Valley PACE has served approximately 700 older adults.
Huron Valley PACE Executive Director Sonja Love Felton, LMSW, who also serves on the Board of Directors for both the PACE Association of Michigan and the National PACE Association, thanked the more than 200 guests in attendance, as well as Lead Sponsors for the event, IntusCare and Zilke Farm Kitchen, and other event sponsors. “I am grateful to all of you for your support of PACE over the last decade and for your collaboration that makes our work possible in caring for older adults. I especially want to thank our incredible team at Huron Valley PACE for the passion, love, and commitment they demonstrate each day to bring joy and well-being to our participants and to elevate our mission.”
Other sponsors included Cedar Woods Assisted Living and Memory Care, Hometown Pharmacy Long-term Care, Homewatch CareGivers, and Transmed at the Ancillary Sponsor level; and Disability Made Easy, Huron Valley Ambulance, Interim Healthcare Home Care, Lemonaides Home Care, LLC, Medical CareAlert, Mobile Medical Supply, and Reliable Medical Transportation were Community Sponsors. Brio Living Services and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. provided in-kind support.
“This 10-year anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Huron Valley PACE,” said Brio Living Services President & CEO Steve Fetyko. “By partnering with older adults and their families and caregivers, Huron Valley PACE fulfills a critical need in the community—older adults live where they want to live, and their caregivers are exceptionally supported by the full PACE interdisciplinary team.”
Brio Living Services is one of Michigan’s leading providers of PACE services, with five sites statewide, serving more than 1,300 older adults annually across 15 Michigan counties.
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.
To learn more about Huron Valley PACE, visit HuronValleyPACE.org or call 734.572.5777.
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