Name
Natalie Amicarelli
Company/Organization
PACE of Southwest Michigan
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
PACE stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Our organization is an alternative to nursing home care where we get the privilege of supporting individuals in the community so they are able to remain in their home and as independent as possible. The unique PACE model of care is centered on the belief that it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs to be served in their home and in their community whenever possible. PACE participants receive comprehensive, customized health care and supportive services across a range of settings including their home and the PACE Center. PACE is both a healthcare provider and a health plan.
Age
32
Accomplishments
Since I have been at PACE of Southwest Michigan, I have recruited and assisted hundreds of new participants to join the program. Bringing us a just a few participants shy of our 250-participant capacity. I am excited that with this growth, comes the opportunity for our organization to expand with a new PACE center in Niles expected to open in 2024. Along with PACE’s therapy manager, we received funding from Berrien Community “For Good” grant to bring dementia education and training to each PACE employee with the intention to improve staff’s knowledge of dementia care to our growing elderly population.
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
I hope to continue to serve the community and raise awareness about dementia education to staff and family members of those affected by the disease. I look forward to going back to school to obtain a Master’s degree to enhance my knowledge and ability to better serve the people in my community.
Education
I earned my Bachelor of Social Work from Western Michigan University with a minor in gerontology.
What Town Do You Reside In?
Stevensville, MI
Where were you born?
St. Joseph, MI
What was your first job?
I guess I would say my first job was bussing tables at my dad’s pizza place before I was even tall enough to ride a roller coaster. My first job out of college was as a Memory Care Facilitator for a dementia unit.
Best advice you ever got?
Embrace feedback and set boundaries.
Who inspires you most?
I often find myself inspired by my 90 year old grandfather. He is the patriarch of a family I am proud to be a part of. He is living proof that age is only a number as he continues to make memories never turning down a good adventure.
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
My 4-year-old yellow lab and I have solo hiked in 20/50 US States with his bucket-list including all continental 48.
What do you love to do in your downtime?
I enjoy spending time with my big family. I also love spending time boating on the lake with my friends and fishing.
What book are you reading now?
Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan
Volunteer activity you love the most.
My favorite volunteer activity this year was the unique opportunity I had to help my sisters fourth grade classroom. My sisters class raised Salmon and I volunteered on the “release day.” I led the classroom on a hike in the woods and got to teach the kids about nature which is a passion of mine.
What motivates you to give back to your community?
I see the need in our community with the aging of our population. I feel motivated to help people navigate the complexity of elder care options. Many people I meet don’t end up needing PACE services, but I feel called to assist in introducing them to the many options available for their loved ones they had no idea about.
What Superpower would you most love to have? (for example, the ability to fly or to be invisible, or incredible strength, etc)
Teleportation, so I could keep a full-time job and travel instantly to a new place and submerge in a new culture every weekend.
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
I would like to leave behind a family that knows how much I loved them and acknowledge that I made a positive difference in at least one person’s life.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
Being part of the class of 2023 40 Under 40 is a surprising accomplishment I didn’t think I was deserving of. Being revered for doing what I feel is the only thing that fulfills me professionally seems overwhelming, yet I am very grateful. I hope that with this honor, I can raise awareness on the growing need for our community to know there are options for caregivers and they are not alone.
