InnovAge

Nurse and participant, or two friends enjoying time together? Both! “I love what I do,” says Barbara Schleter, a nurse for InnovAge Colorado PACE, Northern Colorado. “I love meeting the families and the seniors we serve are just so special. I can't put words to it, but the relationships that develop are wonderful and it's just really neat to be a part of something in my community.” With the in-home assistance of InnovAge PACE, everything from assessments to medical care to personal care is provided with a friendly, personal touch. “It’s anything that can help someone stay in their home and remain as independent as possible for as long as possible,” says In-Home Services Manager Carin Risinger. See the uplifting stories of caregivers and participants – including Nurse Barbara’s friend, Carmen -- whose lives have been changed by our in-home assistance, on this Fox31/CW2 Great Day Colorado feature: https://lnkd.in/gJxVG5kY #AssistanceAtHome #InnovAgeCares #ColoradoSeniors

Nurse and participant, or two friends enjoying time together? Both! “I love what I do,” says Barbara Schleter, a nurse for InnovAge Colorado PACE, Northern Colorado. “I love meeting the families and the seniors we serve are just so special. I can't put words to it, but the relationships that develop are wonderful and it's just really neat to be a part of something in my community.” With the in-home assistance of InnovAge PACE, everything from assessments to medical care to personal care is provided with a friendly, personal touch. “It’s anything that can help someone stay in their home and remain as independent as possible for as long as possible,” says In-Home Services Manager Carin Risinger. See the uplifting stories of caregivers and participants – including Nurse Barbara’s friend, Carmen -- whose lives have been changed by our in-home assistance, on this Fox31/CW2 Great Day Colorado feature: https://lnkd.in/gJxVG5kY #AssistanceAtHome #InnovAgeCares #ColoradoSeniors

“We aren’t just trying to have people live longer, we’re trying to have people live the life that they want,” says InnovAge Colorado PACE Aurora Center Medical Director Dr. Emily Rogers. “We want them to live with dignity. Their goal is our goal.” “I’ve seen people go from, starting here in wheelchairs and then they start walking on their own again, become more independent, be able to start feeding themselves,” says Recreational Therapist Darren Maru. “It’s just so nice to see the growth.” These are just a few highlights of the recent feature on Great Day Colorado. InnovAge PACE has partnered with the FOX31/CW2 team to present an informative series that helps unpack and explain the many facets of PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), including our mission to help seniors continue to live independently. The Aurora center is a prime example. “I liked what they were doing, and I thought, I’ll give this a whirl. And I’m still here!” says participant Caro McMurtry. “There’s so many of us at this age that really need help and purpose as we age. It’s great! We need programs like this.” For Darren, his therapy work is personal – and highly rewarding. “I see a lot of these people as like my grandmas and my grandpas. We start talking about lives, their children, and things like that. It feels like I’m not taking care of customers but taking care of my own family.” Check out the Great Day Colorado feature here: https://lnkd.in/emkazbEB #ColoradoSeniors #SeniorIndependence

“The lives of the people that are touched by PACE are just phenomenal,” said Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet. During this year’s Colorado Capitol Day, InnovAge staff from across the state joined forces to share the value of PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), impressing and inspiring local lawmakers. “I had no idea that these types of comprehensive wraparound services and supports were available for our senior community,” said Representative Shannon Bird. She visited the Thornton PACE center recently. “Seeing the work they did, I had so much more hope for Colorado’s aging population.” InnovAge teams shared how PACE is a high-quality, low-risk, cost-saving program that results in savings at both state and federal levels. “It doesn’t stop here,” said Linda Whyte, InnovAge Colorado PACE Area Center Director. “We want (more) lawmakers to come see our centers, and see exactly what it is that we do. So when they’re making decisions about the budget and laws, they have an idea of what it is that PACE brings to the table.” “The most important thing that we do here is talk to people that are living that life,” said Representative Eliza Hamrick. “We hear their experiences, and it changes law. It saves lives and it just makes us a better state.” See the video recap of our influential day at the Capitol: https://lnkd.in/ecdrFyB5 #SeniorAdvocacy #ColoradoSeniors #2025CapitolDayCO #InnovAgeAdvocacy

We’re celebrating the people behind the lab coats! On National Doctor’s Day, March 30, InnovAge PACE shares on- and off-the-job moments featuring our extraordinary physicians across the country. Visiting with a fellow veteran. Buying art created by InnovAge particpants. Joining an employee recognition event. Serving a delicious breakfast to participants. Advocating for seniors at statewide and national conferences. Even serving as the DJ for a family wedding! Our doctors reflect the very best qualities of compassion, dedication, friendship, and leadership in everything they do. Please join us in celebrating and thanking them for being essential members of the InnovAge PACE team! #NationalDoctorsDay #InnovAgeDoctors #CelebratingDoctors

Thank you Metro PA for helping us spotlight our amazing dietitians! "I’m here for our participants every day,” says InnovAge LIFE dietician Mary McHale. “Maybe someone has a question about sodium intake and reading labels. Maybe they have a problem swallowing. My people know they can grab me anytime they need me to talk." A June 2024 report from the National Council on Aging states that nearly 7 million older Americans in 2022 were found to be food insecure - a number that could rise to 9 million by 2050. As part of the InnovAge LIFE/PACE program, Mary and other InnovAge dietitians do everything from monthly grocery trips to signing up participants for Meals on Wheels. At each center, seniors get medical treatment and do activities, as well as enjoy healthy breakfasts, hot lunches, and snacks. They also get other nutritional supplements and support, in accordance with each participants’ needs and physical requirements. "The main reason I am here – why everyone at InnovAge is here – is to take care of our participants." Read more: https://lnkd.in/gaU83hiS

"With every act of kindness, I strive to uplift those who need it most,” says InnovAge California PACE social worker Timothy McLaurin, “to advocate for underserved populations, and help other's find their own strengths to a path forward." And quoting Mohammad Ali: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” This Social Worker Day (and Month) spotlights the immeasurable value these compassionate and dedicated people bring to healthcare – every day! “I learned most of what I know about true social work from Sister Mary Alice Murphy, a community social worker for over 50 years,” says InnovAge Colorado PACE social worker Kelly Halvorson. “She would say, ‘As a social worker, you will only be as valued as your clients. Make sure they are valued in every way.’ I became a social worker because your life is worth my time," she says. "Those are words I live by.” Thank you for caring for other people and supporting families everywhere! #UnsungHeros #PeopleHelpingPeople #Hope

“It is such a reassurance to my mom, because at this age, she can wake up in the morning and not feel right,” says caregiver Melinda Lloyd. Her mom Pearl is a participant at InnovAge Colorado PACE Denver. They benefit from a unique InnovAge program called VANs (Visiting After Hours Nurses Services). “We provide 24-hour care, 365 days a year. That’s really what we need to do to meet the needs of our participants,” explains Colorado State Medical Director Dr. Gabriel Silversmith on Great Day Colorado. “We hired a slew of nurses to get this off the ground. It wouldn’t have been possible without the will of the organization behind this, seeing the need and being willing to meet it.” “It’s a good feeling to know that you are taken care of,” says Pearl. #OurNursesMakeUsStronger #CompassionChampions

Thank you to our wonderful employees for all they do to help seniors and families in their communities! Our InnovAge California PACE Sacramento team hosted an appreciation breakfast - one of many events celebrating Employee Appreciation Day. #WorkHeros #EmployeeAppreciation

“I’m also an engineer, so the mix of artistry and logics in dentistry appeals to me,” says Dr. Phuc Nguyen, a dentist at InnovAge Colorado PACE’s Denver center. “I’ve had many of our senior participants say they’ve never experienced good dental care and are so appreciative of what we do for them. I’ve had participants say this is the best dental experience they have ever had!” March is Oral Health Month (Thursday is Dentist Day!) and we celebrate the invaluable care of Dr. Phuc Nguyen and his dental colleagues. Statistically, older adults are at higher risk for tooth loss due to cavities, and chronic gum and bone disease. Infections and poor oral care are linked to serious medical conditions like dementia, strokes, heart disease, and pneumonia. Recent research shows that only 4% of nursing home and community-based service programs provide dental care. Medicare largely excludes dental coverage, and nearly half of adults 65+ have not seen a dentist in the past year. This critical need is why InnovAge ensures that seniors receive a comprehensive dental care plan and treatment according to their individual needs. “I’m here to not only care for local seniors, but also make them comfortable and help them better understand their options,” says Dr. Nguyen. “This work is so fulfilling. It feels good knowing I’m improving people's health and well-being, often in a big way. I am thankful for the opportunity every day.” THANK YOU, Dr. Nguyen and dental experts everywhere providing truly impactful care! #LoveYourDentalTeam #HealthyMouthHealthyBody