Aging in place with dignity

As people age, many desire to stay in their own homes for as long as they’re able. Oftentimes however, that wish gets cut short, and they move into nursing homes earlier than they truly need to—due to many factors, including stress placed on caregivers. 

“Care can feel scattered—one doctor here, another appointment there—and caregivers feel stretched thin trying to hold it all together,” explains Lisa Minns, executive director of PACE Central Michigan. 

“In 2018, PACE Central Michigan opened its doors to help,” she continues. “Since then, we’ve supported hundreds of seniors and their families, providing a team that looks at the whole person—their health, their daily needs, and their quality of life. PACE brings together medical care, therapy, medications, rides to appointments, social activities, and support at home, all working in coordination.”

PACE stands for “Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly.” Their goal is to assist elderly stay independent for as possible, safely, and with dignity, in the places they call home. 

Epicenter spoke with the PACE team to learn more about their alternatives to nursing home placement, inclusive of coordinated care for the medical, social, and physical needs of seniors.

Epicenter Mt. Pleasant: PACE stands for “Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly.” Can you describe all that entails? 
Emma Johnson, PACE marketing/enrollment specialist: PACE is an exceptional program with the overarching goal of providing excellent healthcare to the seniors in our community and allowing them to age in place. The term “aging in place” was coined to describe the concept of older adults remaining in their homes and communities as they age rather than relocating to an assisted living or other long-term care/nursing home facility. All-inclusive care means just that: we bring all the healthcare and social support directly to seniors in their homes and communities. PACE operates with an interdisciplinary care team made up of various specialties. They all work together to meet the needs of seniors and their families. 

Epicenter: Let’s dive a little deeper into the care services you provide. Can you discuss the main ways you support seniors in a bit more depth?
Johnson: At the PACE center, participants receive primary care, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, meals, recreational activities, socialization, and personal care. In the home, PACE offers skilled nursing care, personal care, supportive homemaking services, and durable medical equipment such as grab bars, wheelchairs, and other tools that facilitate participant safety. In the community, PACE offers access to specialty doctors, transportation to medical appointments, and community resources. With our social services team, we can assist participants in designating patient advocates, applying for energy assistance or housing resources, and assist with accessing food and personal care items. 

What makes PACE unique is that we are also the insurance. That means instead of juggling multiple plans or approvals, your entire care team works together under one program. This allows us to individualize care—tailoring services, therapies, and supports to what you truly need, not what a policy dictates.

Epicenter: What are the requirements for someone to join PACE if they’re interested? 
Johnson: The requirements for PACE are being 55 years old or older, living in the PACE Central Michigan service area, which includes Isabella, Clare, Gratiot, Gladwin, Roscommon, and parts of Midland County. You must have a need for PACE services, which is determined through a level of care determination assessment. You also must be able to live safely in the community with PACE services.  

Epicenter: Are there financial requirements? And how do you foresee potential federal Medicaid cuts impacting eligibility?
Lisa Minns, PACE Central Michigan executive director: If you qualify for Medicaid, or both Medicare and Medicaid, there is no monthly premium for PACE. If you have Medicare only, you will pay a monthly premium. Some people also choose to pay privately.

Because PACE is both the insurance and the care provider, all your medical and supportive services are included once you enroll—there are no copays or hidden bills for services approved by your PACE care team.

We know there are discussions at both the state and federal levels about cuts to federal Medicaid funding. While PACE eligibility rules themselves haven’t changed, reduced funding could put pressure on state Medicaid budgets. We are early in the budget process and continue to monitor developments closely as negotiations move forward.  

Epicenter: You’ve broken ground for a new facility coming in 2026—can you tell us more about the site and what else is in PACE’s future?
Minns: Yes, we are excited to share that construction is underway on our new PACE center in Houghton Lake, set to open in the fall of 2026. This new site will make it easier for older adults and families in the northern part of our service area to access care and support without having to travel long distances. It also allows us to expand our services to Oscoda, Missaukee, Otsego, Ogemaw, and Crawford Counties.

Just like our current center in Mt. Pleasant, the new Houghton Lake location will offer on-site medical care, rehabilitation therapies, meals, activities, and a welcoming space for social connection. Initially, we can enroll 150 seniors to the program and bring dozens of new jobs to the area. It will also expand our ability to provide home-based services, transportation, and community resources for more seniors who want to stay in their own homes.

Looking ahead, our focus is growth with purpose: continuing to support hundreds of older adults in central Michigan, while exploring new ways to make care more personal, more connected, and more accessible. Whether through new partnerships, expanded services, or innovative programs, PACE will keep building on the same promise we started with—to help seniors live safely, comfortably, and with dignity at home.