November is National Family Caregivers Month — a time to recognize the 63 million Americans who provide essential care for aging parents, spouses, and loved ones. For many, caregiving is an act of love that comes with physical, emotional, and financial strain. At InnovAge LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly), the Pennsylvania name for PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), supporting family caregivers is a central part of the mission.
For caregivers across Pennsylvania, InnovAge LIFE is more than a healthcare provider — it’s a partner, a relief system, and often, a lifeline.
Today’s caregiving landscape is changing rapidly. According to the 2025 AARP 'Caregiving in the U.S.' report, one in four adults is now a family caregiver — a nearly 50% increase in just ten years. Many are juggling full-time jobs, raising children, and performing complex medical tasks at home, often with little training or support. One in five report poor health, and nearly half say caregiving has had a negative financial impact.
"I love to do it because it's my father,” says Andrew Smith. Andrew cares for his father, who is a participant (enrolled senior) at InnovAge LIFE. “But on a day-to-day basis, it's challenging. I mean, there are things that happen on a daily basis that are unexpected. You want to panic, but you can't."
InnovAge LIFE steps in with a model specifically designed to ease these pressures and keep seniors living safely and independently at home. The program provides medical care, transportation, therapies, home support, social activities, and coordinated services — all managed by an interdisciplinary care team that works closely with families.
Family caregivers often shoulder everything — scheduling appointments, managing medications, arranging transportation, handling meals, and monitoring daily safety. InnovAge LIFE’s coordinated model takes on these responsibilities.
The LIFE team provides:
“InnovAge has been a big help,” says Andrew. “We did our research and found a place, number one, that would give not only him personal care, but allow me to be able to call if I needed to, to be able to have resources available to me and him.”
The challenges caregivers face today are significant. The 2025 AARP study shows that more than 40% of caregivers now provide high-intensity support — including medical tasks typically handled by professionals — while seven in ten caregivers continue working jobs that offer limited flexibility.
InnovAge LIFE helps address these pressures in practical and meaningful ways:
Research on PACE programs nationally shows the benefits: fewer hospitalizations, better chronic disease management, improved mental health, and higher caregiver satisfaction.
InnovAge LIFE also works to elevate the voices and stories of caregivers. Earlier this year, InnovAge sponsored the PBS documentary 'Caregiving', executive-produced by Bradley Cooper and narrated by Uzo Aduba. The film shines light on the realities facing caregivers nationwide — from emotional strain to financial hardship — and celebrates the resilience that families demonstrate every day.
This advocacy mirrors the experience of families at InnovAge’s centers. Caregivers stay informed, connected, and involved, with a care team ready to respond whenever needs arise.
During National Family Caregivers Month, InnovAge LIFE celebrates the strength, dedication, and love that family caregivers bring into their roles. The program’s mission is to make their journey easier — through compassion, connection, and coordinated care that lifts the burdens families often carry alone.
“It’s hard for him to express himself,” says Andrew. “But my father has said to me on multiplication, just ‘thank you.’ And I say, ‘for what?’ He’d say, ‘for being there for me.’ And that makes me feel like it's working.”
