On Lok PACE Achieves Recognition as an Age-Friendly Health System Committed to Excellence

On Lok PACE Achieves Honor as an Age-Friendly Health System

On March 10, 2025, On Lok PACE, an established program based in San Francisco, proudly announced its recent recognition as an Age-Friendly Health System – Committed to Care Excellence. This acknowledgment is part of the broader Age-Friendly Health Systems movement led by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). The initiative emphasizes the importance of providing high-quality care specifically tailored for older adults, effectively making their healthcare experience as supportive as possible.

This recognition was awarded after a thorough three-month evaluation in which On Lok PACE excelled across a set of evidence-based criteria known as the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. These components serve as the cornerstone of age-friendly care, ensuring that healthcare providers not only meet the medical needs of seniors but also cater to their personal values and preferences.

According to Dr. Ben Lui, the Chief Medical Officer of On Lok, the recognition reflects their ongoing commitment to delivering safe, person-centered, and evidence-based care that prioritizes the needs and desires of patients and their families. This external acknowledgment demonstrates the organization's diligence and passion for providing the highest quality of care to its clients.

As of August 2023, over 1,900 healthcare entities—including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes—have been recognized as Age-Friendly Health Systems. On Lok PACE joins this distinguished group, contributing to the global effort to redefine and enhance the healthcare experience for over 2.48 million older adults who have benefited from the 4Ms framework.

The commitment to care excellence is not new for On Lok, which has been a pioneer of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) model since its establishment in 1971. This transformative program allows seniors to receive a comprehensive range of support services and medical care, enabling them to age comfortably and independently in their own homes.

The journey continues as the IHI strengthens its dedication to promoting age-friendly practices across various care settings, including emergency rooms and specialty care. Leslie Pelton, Vice President of IHI, expressed her gratitude towards On Lok for its commitment to age-friendly care and hailed the recognition as a significant milestone not just for On Lok, but for the entire movement aiming to enhance care for older adults.

On Lok stands tall with a mission to empower seniors, providing extensive resources to ensure they can live with dignity. They operate the largest multipurpose senior center in San Francisco, which offers educational programs and vital services to support active seniors in their community. Additionally, the organization's Mission Nutrition Program delivers over 250,000 meals annually to seniors in need, showcasing the holistic approach On Lok takes toward senior care.

With this new recognition, On Lok PACE not only reinforces its dedication to elderly care excellence but also encourages continued innovation in the healthcare field, striving to meet every older adult's needs with compassion and understanding. The Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative, backed by The John A. Hartford Foundation and various health organizations, continues to advocate for the best possible care for seniors, proving that investing in elderly healthcare is critical for our society's future.

To learn more about On Lok PACE and its impactful initiatives, visit their official website at www.onlok.org.