What is PACE?
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE®) model is centered on the belief that it is better for the wellbeing of seniors with chronic care needs and their families to be served in the community whenever possible. PACE serves individuals who are age 55 or older, certified by their state to need nursing home care, able to live safely in the community at the time of enrollment, and live in a PACE service area. While all PACE participants must be certified to need nursing home care to enroll in PACE, only about 7 percent of PACE participants nationally reside in a nursing home. If a PACE enrollee needs nursing home care, the PACE program pays for it and continues to coordinate the enrollee’s care.
What services do they offer?
Delivering all needed medical and supportive services, a PACE program is able to provide the entire continuum of care and services to seniors with chronic care needs while maintaining their independence in their home for as long as possible. Services include the following:
- Adult day care that offers nursing; physical, occupational and recreational therapies; meals; nutritional counseling; social work and personal care;
- Medical care provided by a PACE physician familiar with the history, needs and preferences of each participant;
- Home health care and personal care;
- All necessary prescription drugs;
- Social services;
- Medical specialties, such as audiology, dentistry, optometry, podiatry and speech therapy;
- Respite care; and
- Hospital and nursing home care when necessary.
