September Marks Inaugural Celebration of National PACE Month

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, the nation will celebrate and recognize the work of Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE®) by establishing September as National PACE Month. PACE coordinates and provides all needed preventive, primary, acute, and long-term care services to older adults allowing them to live at home in their communities.

The PACE model of care is a fully integrated, provider-based model that revolves around an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, dietitians, drivers, and others who provide direct care and services to meet program participant needs. Despite serving a very frail nursing home-eligible senior population, only five percent of participants are living in nursing homes at any given time. More than 90 percent say that they are very satisfied with PACE and would refer PACE to a close friend.

"PACE is the right solution at the right time for older adults at heightened risk of nursing home placement who wish to continue to live independently," said CalPACE Chief Executive Officer Peter Hansel. "PACE provides one-stop shopping, providing the full continuum of services to meet their health care and supportive services needs."

PACE was developed in 1971 by On Lok in San Francisco, CA and has grown nationally to include 122 programs in 31 states. Currently, PACE organizations in California serve more than 7,000 participants at 37 PACE Centers and Alternative Care Sites in 12 counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Clara. CalPACE also provides tremendous fiscal benefits to the state of California in savings of up to $19 million per year.

According to the Center for Elders' Independence Chief Executive Officer Linda Trowbridge, "PACE represents the future of health care, providing all-inclusive and integrated services to a very frail population in a way that honors their wishes and individual needs."

During National PACE Month, CalPACE is taking the opportunity to educate the aging population, family caregivers, medical providers, and elected officials about the benefits of PACE. The Program provides improved and sustained health to seniors and reduces family and caregiver burnout by offering a proven, cost-effective, and high-quality alternative to nursing home placement.

Read about PACE in California. See the fiscal benefits of PACE. Find a PACE program. View the 2017 PACE Infographic.

CalPACE
The California PACE Association (CalPACE) works to advance the efforts of Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE®). PACE programs coordinate and provide all needed preventive, primary, acute, and long-term care services so older individuals can continue living in the community. The PACE model is centered on the belief that it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs and their families to be served in the community whenever possible.

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SOURCE CalPACE