Thome PACE Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Service to Local Adults 55+
Thome PACE celebrated its 10th anniversary at a “March Madness”-themed Open House at its PACE Day Center in Jackson, Michigan on Thursday, March 12. Thome PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, is a partnership established in 2016 by Brio Living Services and WellWise Area Agency on Aging, serving older adults in Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale counties. Since opening in 2016, Thome PACE has grown from 30 to 118 team members and has served more than 650 participants and their families.
Guests at this event included Michigan State Representatives Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (District 32, Ypsilanti), who also serves as a member of the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation Board; and Kathy Schmaltz (District 46, Jackson) who chairs the House Families and Veterans Committee. Both representatives work closely with issues affecting older adults. Representative Schmaltz presented a State tribute to Robyn Abbey-Hardesty, Executive Director of Thome PACE, recognizing its ten years of service.
“We want to congratulate you on ten years,” said Rep. Schmaltz. “It’s so wonderful what you’ve done here at Thome PACE, how you’ve grown and, more importantly, how many people you have helped during this time. Just think, hundreds of our seniors! As our population ages, we will need even more people to help with that. We cannot congratulate you enough.”
“Over the past ten years, our team has accomplished some remarkable things,” said Abbey-Hardesty. “Since opening our doors, we have served more than 650 participants and provided thousands of medical visits, therapy sessions, meals, transportation rides, and home care services, helping our participants live with dignity, independence, and the support they deserve. Behind every number is a person, a story, and a family whose lives have been supported by our team. The work we do is deeply meaningful and it truly changes lives.”
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.
“PACE stands out as the most dignified and effective way to care for people who wish to remain living independently in their homes,” said Luke Reynolds, Chief of Home and Community-Based Services for Brio Living Services. “One month in PACE is only half the cost of a month in a nursing home. This reduces Medicaid expenditures AND taxpayer burden.”
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 14 Michigan counties.
“I am proud to celebrate the first decade of Thome PACE and continually humbled by the unwavering commitment of our PACE team members across Brio Living Services,” said Reynolds. “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.”
For more information about Thome PACE, Brio Living Services, and its other PACE sites, please visit MyBrio.org.
This blog is sponsored by Plante Moran, a Live Life with Brio Bronze Sponsor! Your thoughtful gift brings joy to the older adults we serve and our team members.
