In short, the cost to deliver elder care in long-term care settings, such as nursing homes, has risen dramatically in the last couple of decades. At the same time, governmental support through Medicare and Medicaid is being reduced. This scenario has led to the closing of 350 nursing homes in the last six years and a search for alternatives. PACE programs are a logical solution, say many in long-term care, as they allow seniors to live at home (where many prefer to be) while also receiving a team approach to health care.

Through a patient-centered team approach, a PACE organization closely monitors elders in the program for health care needs. The program participants also benefit from the socialization of going to an adult day center several times a week, and the ongoing health checks can help elders stay healthy and avoid costly nursing home settings as long as possible. As described by the Times:

In the newer model, a team of doctors, social workers, physical and occupational therapists and other specialists provides managed care for individual patients at home, at adult day-care centers and in visits to specialists. Studies suggest that it can be less expensive than traditional nursing homes while providing better medical outcomes.

PACE is not new. It has been around for more than a decade. Regardless, spotlighting this program in a major news outlet might help draw attention to a model of care whose time is right.

Altitude Edge Consultants has helped facilitate the growth of PACE nationwide. Altitude Edge has assisted many of the 42 new PACE programs that have opened since 2007. For more information about exploring, developing or improving PACE operations, please contact Heather Pietrykowski.

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Ginsberg joined Altitude Edge in 2010. She previously was the PACE Administrator for the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. She is credited with developing PACE in New Jersey and with successful implementation of three programs with several more applications in the pipeline.

“From 2004 through 2010, Dorothy was the official face of PACE in New Jersey,” said Jill Viggiano, Executive Director of LIFE St. Francis, a Trenton-based PACE. “She did whatever it took to make PACE a reality.”

As the NJ PACE Administrator, Ms. Ginsberg focused on reducing bureaucratic barriers and developing policies that facilitated participant enrollment and PACE expansion. David Reyes, Principal, Altitude Edge Consultants, said this award is well deserved. “We are proud of Dorothy’s accomplishments and this award, in particular. We are also proud to have her on our team, where she is able to help clients nationwide successfully navigate the PACE process.”

Ms. Ginsberg was previously a Supervisor for the Department’s Division of Aging and Community Services’ (DACS) state-funded home and community-based programs that included the Congregate Housing Services Program, the Statewide Respite Care Program and the Alzheimer’s Adult Day Services Program. She was the Project Manager for the National Family Caregiver Support Program grant, awarded to New Jersey in 2001 by the U.S. Administration on Aging and managed all DACS activities involving family caregiving programs, presentations and conferences.  Prior to that, she was the Project Coordinator for the Nursing Facility Transitions Grant, awarded to New Jersey in 1999 by CMS.  Prior to working for the Department, Ms. Ginsberg’s nursing career included acute care, home care and long term care for over 30 years.

About Altitude Edge Consultants (www.altitudeedge.com)

Founded in 2005, Altitude Edge Consultants provides health care plan management and consulting expertise to leading health care organizations nationwide. Altitude Edge specializes in the area of aging services, including providing technical, marketing, management and operational assistance to Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

The schedule includes:

Sunday, Oct 3:

• “PACE Program Basics” – Ronda Hackbart and David Reyes will lead and participate in introductory workshops throughout the day.

Tuesday Oct. 5:

• “The Pace Health Center: Evolving to an Ideal”— Presented by Richard Schamp, M.D., Ronda Hackbart and Marguerite Riles‐Parzen of Altitude Egde. 3‐4:30 p.m.
• “Checking Your PACE Organization Vitals”— Presented by David Reyes and Susan Kaul of Altitude Edge. 3‐4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 6:

• “Health Plan Management in PACE”—Presented by Richard Schamp, M.D., Martha Bernard and Patty Bailey of Peak PACE Solutions (an Altitude Edge Company). 10:30 a.m. – noon.

Reyes has more than 30 years experience in long‐term care, including 10 years as president and CEO of a leading PACE organization and two years as chair of the National PACE Association Board of Directors. Hackbart has 20 years of diverse health care experience with an emphasis in recreational therapy and management. She also led operations for a leading PACE organization, where she was responsible for a $60 million budget for six adult day centers, in‐home services, transportation, caregiver education and volunteer programs.

Altitude Edge Consultants

Altitude Edge Consultants is a unique firm that approaches the future of health care by combining solid strategic analysis and traditional tactics with ideas that help organizations reach their peak performance. Altitude Edge helps forward‐thinking organizations that support seniors with housing or health care services, including Programs of All‐inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), adult day health centers, retirement communities, assisted or independent living operators, transportation providers and others.

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For Immediate Release: Sept. 2, 2010
Contact: David Reyes, partner, 303‐748‐6762

“Dorothy brings the right experience at the right time for our firm. Her PACE administrative experience within the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and her in‐depth knowledge of PACE will greatly benefit our clients as she assists them to navigate the complex PACE application process. This expertise will translate to time and cost savings for our clients,” Mr. Reyes said.

Prior to joining Altitude Edge Consultants, Ms. Ginsberg led the creation of New Jersey’s PACE infrastructure development, which included updating the State Plan Amendment; establishing a capitated Medicaid rate; creating policies and procedures for implementing and monitoring PACE; and providing technical assistance to prospective PACE organizations in support of their applications to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Ms. Ginsberg was previously the supervisor for the Department’s Division of Aging and Community Services’ (DACS) state‐funded home and community‐based programs that included the Congregate Housing Services Program, the Statewide Respite Care Program and the Alzheimer’s Adult Day Services Program. She was the Project Manager for the National Family Caregiver Support Program grant, awarded to New Jersey in 2001 by the U.S. Administration on Aging and managed all DACS activities involving family caregiving programs, presentations and conferences. Prior to that, she was the Project Coordinator for the Nursing Facility Transitions Grant, awarded to New Jersey in 1999 by CMS.

Ms. Ginsberg has presented to numerous state and national groups on institutional and community long‐ term care; co‐chaired the New Jersey Women’s Caregiver Retreat for three years; developed and implemented the state’s Caregivers Best Practices conference, attended by 300 professionals; and was a member of the Governor’s Stakeholders Task Force on the Olmstead Supreme Court decision that reaffirmed the rights of persons with disabilities to live in the community. She has been a registered nurse for 30 years, with extensive experience in home and community‐based services for the aging and people with disabilities.

Altitude Edge Consultants

Founded in 2005, Altitude Edge Consultants provides health care plan management and consulting expertise to leading health care organizations nationwide. Altitude Edge specializes in the area of aging services, including providing technical, marketing, management and operational assistance to Programs of All‐inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

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For Immediate Release: June 7, 2010
Contact: David Reyes, Principal, 303‐748‐6762

PACE providers are licensed and regulated by state agencies and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As a PACE, Senior CommUnity Care of North Carolina will provide health care and other supportive services to North Carolina’s frail elderly in Wake, Durham and Granville counties. This all‐inclusive approach to care allows seniors who require a nursing home level of care to remain living safely at home.

Altitude Edge Consultants

Altitude Edge Consultants is a unique firm that approaches the future of health care by combining solid strategic analysis and traditional tactics with ideas that help organizations reach their peak performance. Altitude Edge helps forward‐thinking organizations that support seniors with housing or health care services, including Programs of All‐inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), adult day health centers, retirement communities, assisted or independent living operators, transportation providers and others.

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For Immediate Release: Jan. 13, 2010
Contact: David Reyes, partner, 303‐748‐6762