WASHINGTON—The National PACE Association (NPA) announced a milestone for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) with the opening of its 200th PACE program, PACE Northeast Michigan in Alpena, MI.
"Becoming the 200th PACE organization in the country, while also being one of the most rural programs nationwide, is an incredible honor for Northeast Michigan," said Jeff Meden, executive director of PACE Northeast Michigan. "This milestone reflects the hard work of our team and the strength of our community partnerships. Most importantly, it means older adults in our region now have access to comprehensive, coordinated care that allows them to live safely and independently in the communities they love."
Today, PACE programs operate in 33 states and the District of Columbia. Through continued growth, PACE provides medical and social services to more than 100,000 older adults, enabling seniors to live safely in their homes and communities rather than transitioning to nursing homes.
The NPA said its community-based model of care is designed to serve older adults with complex health care needs who qualify for a nursing home-level of care but prefer to age in place. Introduced 55 years ago in San Francisco by On Lok, PACE offers seniors, their families and caregivers a person-centered alternative to institutional care.
"Reaching this milestone provides us with an opportunity to look back and be thankful for the work of the early pioneers at On Lok who dreamed about a better way to provide care to our seniors," said Shawn Bloom, president and CEO of the National PACE Association. "They worked outside the confines of our health care system to develop a model based on the independence, dignity, and quality of life of each senior enrolled in the program."
The PACE model of care utilizes teams that include primary care providers, registered nurses, homecare coordinators, personal care attendants, dietitians, social workers, transportation staff, PACE center managers and physical, occupational and recreational therapists. Services range from primary and specialty medical care and prescription drugs to transportation, meals and social engagement. The services are coordinated to support the physical, emotional and mental health of participants.
"Reaching the milestone of 200 programs reflects the growing recognition that older adults deserve care models that prioritize independence, dignity and quality of life," said Bloom. "As the population ages, PACE is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of seniors while strengthening families, caregivers and communities."