Activism
On Lok Celebrates PACE Program and Innovative Elder Care
On Lok serves adults age 55 and older who are nursing-home eligible but wish to remain in their communities. What sets PACE apart is its integration of primary and long-term care, two systems often separated in traditional healthcare systems. Instead of focusing solely on medications or chronic disease management, PACE takes a whole-person approach, addressing medical, social, and emotional needs.
By Carla Thomas
Cruising along Bay Area highways or parked on neighborhood streets, the brightly decorated vans of On Lok are mobile works of art.
Boasting a larger than life photograph bubble wrapped over the entire vehicle, the illustration depicts the warmth and glow of a dedicated care giver and smiling gray-haired elder, symbolizing the nonprofit’s signature service, PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly).
This September, On Lok celebrates PACE not only as a transportation program for seniors but as a real pathway to independence.
“Through PACE we provide a healthcare delivery system, offering both primary and long-term care so that seniors can live the way they want to live,” said On Lok Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ben Lui.
Unlike fragmented healthcare models, On Lok’s interdisciplinary teams bring together physicians, nurses, therapists, and social workers to provide wraparound support. The nonprofit operates as a one-stop resource for aging adults, relieving families of the overwhelming responsibility of navigating complex healthcare needs on their own.
“A senior’s health is more than their medical needs,” said Dr. Lui, who has served the leadership team for five years.
“Everyday support, social engagement, and community all play a role. It truly takes a village, and the continuity of care we provide helps promote long-term well-being.”
On Lok serves adults age 55 and older who are nursing-home eligible but wish to remain in their communities. What sets PACE apart is its integration of primary and long-term care, two systems often separated in traditional healthcare systems. Instead of focusing solely on medications or chronic disease management, PACE takes a whole-person approach, addressing medical, social, and emotional needs.
Funded mostly through Medicare and Medicaid, the program ensures that cost is not a barrier to care, with 95% of participants fully covered by the public insurance programs.
For more than 50 years, On Lok has been a lifeline for Bay Area seniors. By integrating healthcare, home support, transportation, meals, and social activities, the organization helps participants remain independent, active, and safe at home. More than 2,200 clients currently take part in a wide range of services at On Lok’s neighborhood centers, where they receive not just medical care but also meals, exercise classes, and meaningful activities from arts and crafts to live music.
“It’s a joy to work with dedicated staff members who are really making a difference in the lives of our seniors every day,” said Dr. Lui. “Our team is compassionate, committed, and truly believes in this mission.”
Dr. Lui is a Yale Medical School graduate with 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, including eight years with the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH).
In March, On Lok PACE was honored by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) as an Age-Friendly Health System — Committed to Care Excellence. The award recognizes healthcare organizations that have demonstrated a strong commitment to providing evidence-based and person-centered care for older adults.
The recognition is based on the IHI’s Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, which promotes the “4Ms” framework for high-quality care:
- What Matters: Focusing on each individual’s health goals and care preferences.
- Medication: Reviewing medications to ensure they do not interfere with what matters to the patient.
- Mentation: Preventing, identifying, and managing dementia, depression, and delirium.
- Mobility: Ensuring older adults can move safely every day.
Founded in 1971 by social worker Marie-Louise Ansak and physician Dr. William Gee, On Lok began as a day health center in San Francisco and expanded PACE nationwide, now serving over 86,000 clients.
For more information, visit www.onlok.org
