More Than Healthcare • Great Lakes PACE

For nearly two decades, Katie O'Mara was a familiar face in homes throughout Mid-Michigan. As a trusted television journalist at TV5 she reported on the stories that shaped the Great Lakes Bay Region - celebrating community successes, documenting moments of hardship, and earning the confidence of viewers who welcomed her into their living rooms each evening.

Today, O'Mara is telling a different kind of story.

Rather than reporting the news, she is helping introduce families to a program that many have never heard of, despite its profound impact on older adults throughout the region. That program is Great Lakes PACE, an organization dedicated to helping eligible seniors remain independent while continuing to live safely in their own homes.

For many families, the decision to seek additional care for an aging parent can be one of the most emotional and overwhelming experiences of their lives. Questions about healthcare, transportation, medications, home safety, financial eligibility, and long-term independence often arrive all at once. It’s easy to understand why so many family caregivers feel overwhelmed and struggle to know where to begin.

That’s precisely where Great Lakes PACE makes a difference.

Serving communities throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region, Great Lakes PACE brings physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, home care professionals, transportation together through a very different lens—not simply viewing people as patients, but as an entity that understands the value of compassion, dignity, and genuine human connection.  Katie’s experiences brought her specialists and many other disciplines together into one coordinated program focused on a single goal: helping older adults remain safely at home for as long as possible.

For O'Mara, the organization's mission became personal almost immediately. After facing significant health challenges of her own, she found herself viewing healthcare uniquely qualified to recognize something special when she first visited Great Lakes PACE.

In the following conversation, O'Mara shares how her own journey led her to Great Lakes PACE, while members of the organization explain how their team works alongside participants and families to help older adults remain independent, connected, and supported throughout every stage of aging.

Chapter 1 • A Journey That Changed Everything

There are moments in life that quietly reshape a person's purpose.

For Katie O'Mara, that journey didn't begin in a television newsroom. It began after the cameras stopped rolling.

For eighteen years, viewers across Mid-Michigan came to know Katie as a trusted journalist who delivered the day's headlines with professionalism, compassion, and authenticity. Her reporting took her into countless homes, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region.  Along the way, she developed something that cannot be manufactured or bought - trust.

When Katie stepped away from television in 2014, many assumed she was simply beginning a quieter chapter of life. Instead, she entered one of the most challenging seasons she had ever experienced.

Serious health issues forced her to confront life from an entirely different perspective. Suddenly, she wasn't the one reporting on difficult stories—she was living one. The experience gave her an intimate understanding of how quickly life can change, how important compassionate healthcare is during moments of uncertainty, and how deeply people rely on those who care for them.

Those experiences would eventually lead her somewhere she never expected.

When she first walked through the doors of Great Lakes PACE, she wasn't evaluating a healthcare program or looking for another professional opportunity. She was simply observing.

What she found wasn't what she expected. Instead of seeing a traditional medical facility, she found an environment built around relationships. Staff members knew participants by name. Conversations were genuine. Laughter echoed throughout the center. The atmosphere felt less like a clinic and more like a community.

That first impression left a lasting impact.  When asked what she remembers most about discovering Great Lakes PACE, Katie doesn't begin by talking about healthcare, insurance, or medical services.

She talks about the people.

"Ihave suffered a great deal in the last 10+ years and I'm very public about it,” she reflects.  “I've had brain bleeds that have hospitalized me and a blood disease called ITP that causes very low platelet count. So basically, I'm a bleeder.”

“Sometimes when life happens like that, we must adjust. And we make these adjustments to live life the best that we can.”

“When I first stepped into Great Lakes PACE I was blown away by the workers—they want to be here. It's not a job for them. They're so beautiful.”

“The workers love each participant! In return, participants want to be here. I think we get to a certain point in our lives when our friends start dying and we become lonely. We need community.”

Chapter 2 • What Makes Great Lakes PACE Different?

Every family eventually reaches a point where the hard conversations become unavoidable.

It may begin with a missed doctor's appointment, a fall in the home, difficulty managing medications, a refrigerator that sits nearly empty. Or perhaps it is something less obvious - a growing sense of isolation after losing a spouse or no longer being able to drive.

For many older adults, the greatest fear isn't illness - it’s losing independence.

Families often assume that accepting help means giving up the home they've spent decades building. Nursing home placement becomes the expectation, even when it isn't what anyone truly wants.

Great Lakes PACE was built around a more holistic and supportive philosophy.

Rather than asking seniors to leave their homes, the program is designed to bring together the medical care, therapies, transportation, social engagement, and support services needed to help eligible older adults continue living safely and independently in the communities they know and love.

It's a model that looks very different from traditional healthcare.

Instead of coordinating appointments across multiple offices and providers who may never speak to one another, Great Lakes PACE brings those services together under one coordinated program. Physicians, therapists, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians, and many other professionals work as a single team with one shared goal: keeping participants healthy, independent, and connected.

When Katie O'Mara first learned how the program worked, she immediately recognized why so many participants speak about Great Lakes PACE with genuine affection.

Katie explains it this way.

"People can avoid nursing homes because everything they need to remain at home is available under the Great Lakes PACE roof.

“They have an interdisciplinary medical team made up of doctors, dietitians, pharmacists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.”

“Transportation buses pick up participants at their homes and bring them to the PACE center. There's a day center where they can do activities and socialize with other people all day. They have meal.”

"We often call to make a doctor appointment and need to wait a week or two, sometimes a month. But PACE participants see the doctor either the same day or the next.”

"When I was here about a month ago, I visited with a few participants. One was almost 100 years old and said her sister just turned 104. They were from large families, and I am one out of twelve in my family, so I connected.”

“People love being here - they were planting flowers, sharing stories, and it's simply a wonderful place."

Katie's observations speak to something that statistics alone cannot measure.

While Great Lakes PACE delivers comprehensive medical care, it also creates opportunities for older adults to remain socially connected, physically active, and engaged with others who share similar life experiences. That combination of coordinated healthcare and meaningful human connection is what makes the program unlike many traditional models of elder care.

For participants and their families, independence is not measured by doing everything alone. Instead, it is measured by having the right support system in place to continue living safely, confidently, and with dignity at home.

Chapter 3 •  The Hidden Burden Carried by Family Caregivers

When people think about aging, they often picture the individual who needs care.

Far less attention is given to the son who quietly stops by every evening after work to check on his mother. Or the daughter who spends weekends driving her father to medical appointments, organizing medications, paying bills, and trying to balance her own career and family responsibilities at the same time.

Across the country, millions of family caregivers find themselves living two lives simultaneously. They are raising children, building careers, and planning for retirement while also becoming the primary support system for aging parents.

Healthcare professionals often refer to these individuals as the "Sandwich Generation."

Their responsibilities extend far beyond providing companionship. Many coordinate physician appointments, manage medications, arrange transportation, prepare meals, monitor changing health conditions, and provide financial assistance when unexpected expenses arise. Although these acts of care are often performed out of love, they can become physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming.

Great Lakes PACE recognizes that caring for one participant often means supporting an entire family.

The organization understands that when family caregivers have access to reliable medical care, coordinated services, transportation, and in-home support, they are better able to spend meaningful time with their loved ones instead of constantly managing logistics.

That philosophy becomes especially important when discussing how Great Lakes PACE is funded and why its model of care differs from many traditional healthcare programs.

Great Lakes PACE

“We are funded by Medicare and Medicaid and receive payment each month for every participant enrolled in our program. Like any other insurance plan, those funds are used to provide the care our participants need, which means there are no co-pays for the services we provide.

"Because we provide all our patients' services, it saves money all around. If adult children are paying for incontinence supplies, or home care, or Meals on Wheels, with Great Lakes PACE these services are all covered."

For many families, the greatest benefit extends beyond the financial savings.

Knowing that a coordinated team is helping oversee a loved one's care can reduce the stress of managing appointments, services, and daily needs alone. Rather than navigating a complicated healthcare system piece by piece, families gain a trusted partner who helps coordinate care while keeping the participant's health, safety, and independence at the center of every decision.

In many ways, Great Lakes PACE doesn't simply support older adults, it helps restore peace of mind to the families who love them.

 Chapter 4 • Understanding Eligibility: Breaking Down the Barriers

For many older adults and their families, the decision to seek help isn't always the hardest part; understanding whether they qualify often is the hard part.

Terms like Medicare, Medicaid, dual eligible, deductibles, co-pays, asset limits, and coverage gaps can quickly become overwhelming. Many families assume they earn too much to qualify, have too many assets, or believe they’ll have to continue managing healthcare the way they always have.

Unfortunately, those assumptions sometimes prevent people from exploring programs that could dramatically improve their quality of life.

One of the goals of Great Lakes PACE is to help remove that uncertainty by explaining eligibility in straightforward language and helping families understand what options may be available.

For individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, the financial structure of PACE is intentionally designed to remove many of the barriers that often prevent seniors from receiving consistent care.

Great Lakes PACE

"For our 'dual eligibles' (those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid), there are zero deductibles, zero co-pays, and zero coverage gaps.”

“When these dually eligible seniors qualify for Great Lakes PACE, they never see a medical bill from us. They don't pay out-of-pocket for their prescription drugs, their wheelchair, their hospital visits, or their meals at our center. Their prescription medications—including approved over-the-counter (OTC) medications that are part of their care plan - are covered without deductibles or co-pays. It works because we keep our participants healthy, out of the emergency room, and safe at home."

“Historically, the Medicaid asset limit was $2,000. It has now increased to $9,660, allowing people to retain more assets and still qualify for PACE.”

“Someone who previously didn't qualify because of income or assets may now qualify. Those recent eligibility changes have opened the door for many Michigan seniors who may have assumed Great Lakes PACE wasn't an option for them.”

“Families who were told years ago that they didn't qualify may find that today's guidelines are different. That's why Great Lakes PACE encourages anyone with questions to ask, even if they've explored their options before."

“Eligibility is based on each individual's circumstances, and understanding those circumstances begins with a conversation.”

When Circumstances Change, Opportunities Can Change

Many people are surprised to learn that qualifying for Medicaid isn't determined by a single number.

Income, assets, healthcare needs, and individual circumstances all play a role, and recent changes to Michigan's Medicaid eligibility have made it possible for more seniors to qualify for PACE than in previous years.

Great Lakes PACE

“Recent changes to Michigan's Medicaid eligibility have made it possible for more seniors to qualify for PACE than in previous years. If you or a loved one were previously told you didn't qualify because of income or assets, it may be worth taking another look.”

“Every family's situation is different, and not every asset is treated the same when determining eligibility. For example, a primary residence, one vehicle, and certain personal belongings may not affect eligibility in the same way as other financial assets.”

“The best first step is to contact Great Lakes PACE. Our team can review your individual situation, answer your questions, explain the eligibility requirements, and help guide you through the application process."

One of the greatest misconceptions surrounding programs like Great Lakes PACE is when people assume they already know whether they qualify.

The reality is that eligibility requirements evolve, financial guidelines change, and every family's circumstances are unique. Rather than making assumptions, Great Lakes PACE encourages families to have a conversation with their team to better understand what options may be available.

For many participants, that conversation becomes the first step toward receiving coordinated healthcare, remaining safely at home, and gaining peace of mind for both them and their loved ones.

CHAPTER 5 • More Than Medicine: Building Community, Friendship, and Purpose

Ask almost anyone what they believe older adults need most, the answers are often the same: Better healthcare. More doctors. Affordable medications. Safe housing.

While each of those needs is important, there is another challenge that often receives far less attention: Loneliness.

As people grow older, life naturally changes. Friends move away. Families become busier. Spouses pass away. Driving becomes more difficult. Daily routines that once involved work, church, volunteering, or community activities gradually begin to disappear.

The result can be weeks - or even months.- without meaningful social interaction.

Researchers have spent years studying the effects of social isolation among older adults. Their findings consistently show that loneliness can affect not only emotional well-being but also physical health, contributing to depression, anxiety, declining cognitive function, and an overall lower quality of life.

Great Lakes PACE recognizes that treating the whole person means caring for more than medical conditions. It also means creating opportunities for people to laugh together, build friendships, remain active, and continue finding joy in everyday life.

That philosophy comes to life every day inside the Adult Day Center.

 As Katie O’Mara explains her own experience, "Some new participants are a little timid and quiet at first, but then they get to know others and engage with them by playing cards, planting flowers, playing games, or eating meals together. It's beautiful to see these people coming out of their shells.”

"Many participants I've spoken to have lost a spouse and come here because of the friendships they form. It's wonderful when you get two people who are about the same age and they talk about how they grew up and how the world is different and how things have changed.”

Watching those friendships develop has become one of the most rewarding parts of Katie's experience with Great Lakes PACE.

What begins as a room filled with unfamiliar faces often grows into a community where participants celebrate birthdays together, encourage one another through health challenges, and look forward to seeing familiar friends each week.

Those relationships don't happen by accident; they grow because people feel welcomed, respected, and valued.

Katie believes that culture begins with the people who work there.

"I definitely feel the workers here have special souls and sincerely want to help the people that come to PACE. When you meet people like that it's easy to connect. You see people caring for other people's moms and dads the way they would care for their own. It's a beautiful thing.”

The friendships formed at Great Lakes PACE extend well beyond participants.

Families often develop relationships with nurses, therapists, transportation staff, and care coordinators who come to know not only a participant's medical history but also their personality, interests, traditions, and goals.

That sense of familiarity creates something that’s difficult to measure but easy to recognize: Trust!

For many participants, Great Lakes PACE becomes more than a place to receive healthcare, but instead a part of their weekly routine, their social circle, and, in many ways, an extension of their family.

As Katie reflected throughout the interview, one idea surfaced again-and-again: People don't simply come to Great Lakes PACE because they need medical care. They come because they find something every person hopes to experience throughout life: A place where they feel they belong.

Chapter 6 • Faith, Purpose, and Finding Meaning Through Adversity

Some experiences change the direction of a person's life. Others change the way they see every day that follows.

For Katie O'Mara, years of reporting on the lives of others eventually gave way to a deeply personal journey of her own. Serious health challenges forced her to confront uncertainty in ways few people ever expect. Those experiences tested not only her physical strength but also her outlook on life.

Rather than allowing adversity to define her, Katie found herself leaning more deeply into her faith, her relationships, and her belief that every day carries purpose.

That perspective shaped the way she approached life long before she discovered Great Lakes PACE. When she eventually walked through the PACE doors, she immediately recognized an organization whose values closely reflected her own—compassion, dignity, service, and genuine concern for others.

To Katie, those qualities weren't simply part of a healthcare program - they reflected something much deeper.

"I'm a very prayerful person and believe that every day I wake up is a blessing,” notes Katie. “I'm not going to lie to you - this morning was a tough one for me physically because of my health condition, but I pray every day.”

“I believe that we're here to help one another and to love one another. A friend told me once that the reason we're here is to love and to be loved, so when I found out about PACE and all these wonderful things they offer to the elderly, I strongly identified with it.”

“We could be here in ten years, or we could be here in five years, or we could be here tomorrow. We never know. I don't believe it was a coincidence or an accident that I'm here. I believe I was meant to come here, and the Lord connected me and led me to go in this direction."

Throughout this conversation, Katie returned to one recurring theme: Purpose.

Not the kind measured by careers, accomplishments, or recognition, but the quieter purpose found in caring for others, offering encouragement, and making a meaningful difference in someone's life.

That same philosophy is reflected throughout Great Lakes PACE.

Whether helping someone remain safely at home, providing transportation to an important family gathering, supporting an exhausted caregiver through respite care, or simply creating opportunities for friendships to flourish, the work extends beyond healthcare. It becomes an expression of service.

For Katie, that is what makes Great Lakes PACE different.

The organization doesn't simply provide medical care - it reminds people that every stage of life still has value, every individual deserves dignity, and every person deserves to be surrounded by compassion.

In many ways, her own journey and the mission of Great Lakes PACE arrived at the same destination.

Both are rooted in hope.

Chapter 7 • Leaving a Legacy of Trust

Over the course of nearly two decades in television, Katie O'Mara earned something few journalists ever achieve: Trust.

Night after night, viewers invited her into their homes to deliver the stories that shaped their communities. Whether covering moments of celebration, tragedy, or everyday life, she developed a reputation for authenticity, compassion, and credibility that continues.

Today, that trust serves a different purpose.

Rather than introducing viewers to the day's headlines, Katie now finds herself introducing families to an organization she believes deserves far greater recognition throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region.

During this conversation, she spoke often about the people who make Great Lakes PACE special - not because of awards or recognition - but because of the way they quietly serve others every single day.

When asked what legacy she hopes to leave through her work with Great Lakes PACE, Katie's answer quickly shifted away from herself.  Instead, she focused on the people she believes deserve the credit.

"I don't think it was a coincidence that I connected with Great Lakes PACE, she states.  “I believe that the workers here are the ones that should get the accolades, with what they do here day in and day out.”

“It is a very trustworthy place, and I believe that the people here possess a sense of trust in everything that they do. It's a very open and loving and free place to be.”

“If my mom or dad were still alive, I would have brought them here in a heartbeat. Regardless of whether you live in Saginaw, Bay City, or Midland, they service the entire Great Lakes Bay Region.”

“I remember when my colleague Sam Merrill was still with us and he was around when they did the groundbreaking for building Great Lakes PACE, doing voiceovers before this place was even built, so it was beautiful when I first encountered PACE because I never knew this was here in all of the 25 years that I lived in Saginaw until Ron brought me here and I discovered this gold nugget that was like a best kept secret."

Perhaps that is the greatest takeaway from Katie's journey.

After years spent telling the stories of others, she found herself becoming part of one.

Not because she was searching for another career. Not because she was looking for recognition. But because her own experiences helped her recognize something that many families have yet to discover.

Throughout this conversation, one message emerged repeatedly: Great Lakes PACE is not simply about medical appointments, transportation, therapy, or eligibility requirements. Great Lakes PACE is about helping older adults continue living with dignity, independence, purpose, and community while giving families confidence that their loved ones are surrounded by people who genuinely care.

For Katie, that mission feels deeply personal.

For the families served by Great Lakes PACE, it can be life changing.

And perhaps the greatest compliment anyone can give an organization dedicated to caring for others is the one Katie offered without hesitation: If her own parents were still alive, she would have entrusted them to Great Lakes PACE in a heartbeat.

Need More Information?

If you or a loved one could benefit from the services offered by Great Lakes PACE, or if you're unsure whether you qualify, the Great Lakes PACE team is available to answer your questions and provide a free consultation.

Great Lakes PACE / Website: GreatLakesPACE.org / Phone: (989) 272-7610

Whether you're exploring care options for yourself, a parent, or another loved one, the team can help you understand eligibility requirements, explain available services, and guide you through the enrollment process today.