PACE supports aging adults

Seniors today are invested in adding “active” and “involved” years to their lives as they age, according to Kelly Carter, program officer at Community Care.

“The needs of seniors have changed through the years. Seniors today are participating more actively in their care, whereas in the past, they may have left more decisions regarding their medical care and living arrangements to their family members,” said Carter, who has worked at Community Care for 25 years. “Seniors are saying, ‘We want different things.’ They want to be active in their community as they get older, as well as understand the care alternatives out there that will allow them to age in place. I like to say that old is the new young.”

Helping them to achieve these goals and live independently has been the nonprofit’s mission for more than 45 years. Community Care offers three long-term care programs — the Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, Family Care and Partnership. Carter oversees all three programs for Community Care.

A joint Medicare/Medicaid program, PACE provides comprehensive medical and long-term care for adults who qualify for nursing home care and older adults with physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities. Led by a member-centered care team, individuals enrolled in the program are able to age in place either in their own homes or senior living communities, for example. The care team assigned to them consists of multiple professionals including a primary care physician, nurse practitioner, social worker, occupational and physical therapists, and dietician, among others. Dental care and prescription drug coverage is also included as part of the program.

Participants in the PACE program also have access to the adult day centers — the cornerstone of the program — which are located in Milwaukee and Waukesha. The Belle City Adult Day and Health Center just opened this past June in Racine, and will serve both Racine and Kenosha. There, individuals participate (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) in therapeutic activities, enjoy lunch and snacks, socialize with other attendees and receive a full spectrum of care at the on-site clinics.

Carter said the clinics provide easy access for one-stop service, including provider visits, lab work and more. PACE also provides transportation to and from the day centers, as well as to any medical appointments throughout the community, for anyone in need.

To qualify for the PACE program, individuals 55 and older must apply by contacting their local Aging and Disability Resource Center, which helps people apply for the various available statewide programs and benefits, including long-term care. Once enrolled, individuals can select PACE as their program choice. To qualify for the program, they must be a resident of Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine or Waukesha County. At that point, a PACE program manager will reach out for a physical in-home assessment.

Carter said some individuals prefer to receive support in their own home and others opt for the day center, either as a full-time or part-time participant.

“We have some members who come to the day center just one day a week to socialize or for a special activity that is scheduled,” she said.

Carter said members can manage their schedule with their care team.

“To me, the PACE program is the gold standard for caring for seniors,” Carter said. “It’s a very well-rounded program in which the member is surrounded by a comprehensive care team that allows for the support plan to be very individualized for that one person. It allows our team members to really get to know that member. In addition, it allows the individual to have access to multiple experts as their needs change. This is what makes our program unique.”

For more information on Community Care or the PACE program, please visit www.communitycareinc.org.