The Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) provides a range of services, the majority of which are available on-site at a PACE Center.
PACE is a substitute for nursing home care that coordinates and offers preventative, primary, acute, and long-term care services through an interdisciplinary team (IDT) of social workers, nurse practitioners, nurses, physicians, therapists, van drivers, and aides.
PACE began in 1971 in San Francisco as a brilliant idea conceived by Dr. William Gee and social worker Marie-Louise Ansak to create a complete system of health and social care that enabled people to get assistance while remaining in their homes.
Today, that concept has been extended into a federally financed, nationally mirrored program. There are currently 141 PACE programs operating 272 PACE centers in 30 states, assisting senior citizens in maintaining their independence, integrity, and quality of life.
The interdisciplinary team interacts with elders and their families to develop a comprehensive and organized personal care plan, schedule essential appointments, arrange experts, fill medicines, and provide transportation to and from PACE locations.
Participants will receive a hot meal, interpersonal interactions, and recreational activities while they are at a PACE facility, in addition to medical clinic check-ups, physical therapy, and/or rehabilitative therapy, as recommended by the interdisciplinary team.
In California, each PACE provider provides a comprehensive variety of health and long-term care services, including emergency, hospital, and nursing home care. Once registered in PACE, the monthly payment will remain constant regardless of the type of care and services required by the member.
There are never any co-pays, deductibles, or coverage gaps with this plan. The program covers all Medicare and Medicaid-covered services, as determined by the interdisciplinary team, as well as any additional medically necessary treatment or services not covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
To be eligible to participate in the PACE program, an individual must meet the following criteria:
The Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) are created for older adults who match nursing home admission criteria but desire to remain in their homes as long as possible. The program is administered by an interdisciplinary team. Typically, the services are given at an adult day health facility and are available on a daily basis. Transportation to the center is provided by the program. Certain services, however, may be delivered in the house.
To find out more perks seniors can enjoy, check out Senior Strong’s Senior Citizen Discounts and Perks page.
