InnovAge, the largest provider of the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in the United States, recently marked 35 years of empowering seniors to age independently in their homes and communities.
As it enters 2025, InnovAge PACE continues to make an impact, reminding Metro readers that its programs extend far beyond the 25,000 seniors who have historically benefited from the care and support provided by its centers.
For instance, more than 50 million family caregivers in this country help parents, spouses, grandparents, and other loved ones live independently in their own homes.
“Caregiver burnout is a big deal,” said Nigel Guyot, the Center Director at InnovAge’s Loveland, Colorado center. “We’re able to bring these caregivers’ loved ones into the center, and now, they have that day of respite. That time with us gives caregivers a well-deserved break. These men and women are able to recharge their batteries to take better care of their loved ones in the future.”
Caregivers surveyed with loved ones in the InnovAge PACE program say they’ve experienced a more than 40% decrease in caregiver burden.
“InnovAge gives me the time I need to survive and thrive,” said one caregiver in InnovAge’s most recent caregiver survey.
A January 2025 report from SeniorLiving.org states that about 53 million U.S. adults are family-assisting their older relatives, spouses, friends, or neighbors with daily tasks like cooking and dressing.
“This means one in five Americans is a caregiver,” says the newest report. Projections show, that by 2030, the population of people aged 65 and older will exceed the number of family caregivers.
Dr. Melissa Rathmell, InnovAge’s Loveland Center Medical Director, is also focused on caregiver needs. “We free up family members from many tasks including providing everything their senior loved one needs to stay safely at home.”
SeniorLiving.org comprehensively studied more than 1,700 unpaid family caregivers. Here are some of their key findings:
• 59% of family caregivers are women, and they report higher levels of emotional stress, depression, and challenges with balancing caregiving duties compared to men.
• 43% of caregivers are the sole providers of care, typically spending 20 hours per week on caregiving duties.
• 53% of family caregivers work full-time jobs, meaning they must balance their caregiving and workplace responsibilities.
• Nearly half (47%) of caregivers receive no formal support, such as financial aid, counseling, or respite care, despite 88% saying they need more help.
• 43% of family caregivers report sleeping difficulties and 36% report feelings of depression.
• While 65% of caregivers haven’t participated in support groups, those who have preferred online forums and Facebook groups over in-person meetings.
With common stresses such as these, it’s no wonder caregivers love the attention local InnovAge PACE centers — and their at-home outreach — give to their enrolled seniors on a daily basis.
“It’s really lifted a lot of stress off my plate,” says Carla Vigil, whose father has been with InnovAge’s Lakewood Center for about eight years. Carla looks forward to the moments she has to herself, as well as time spent with her father. “It means a lot. It definitely means a lot. And I encourage people to look into InnovAge if they have family members that need help.”
Phil Eggers’ uncle has been a participant at InnovAge’s Thornton Center for several years and knows that he can count on InnovAge PACE to care for his loved one. “I don’t have that worry. When I have to work 60 hours a week, I know he’s OK. I know he’s safe. He has doctors’ appointments; transportation’s not an issue; food is not an issue. It’s wonderful. The peace of mind impacts me immensely.”
InnovAge PACE works closely with enrolled seniors and their families to develop a customized care plan that fits their particular needs. There is no cost to participants with Medicare and Medicaid coverage. Every medical need is included with no premiums, co-pays, or deductibles. Enrollment is open all year. To learn more, visit innovage.com
Sponsored content produced in partnership with InnovAge
