What is PACE?

PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, is a system of health care programs approved and regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services  and operated by local health care providers. A PACE program provides comprehensive health care services to nursing home-eligible seniors with chronic health issues who want to remain at home.

At the heart of PACE is the PACE Center. There, participants visit, socialize and build meaningful relationships with doctors, nurses and other program participants while also receiving the clinical and rehabilitative services they need. Transportation to and from the center is coordinated for participants. Participants also receive comprehensive at-home care, enabling PACE providers to offer the entire continuum of care and services needed to keep a participant living safely at home. These services include but are not limited to:

• Home health care and personal care
• Prescription and over-the-counter drugs
• Physical, occupational  and speech therapy care
• Respite care
• Hospital and nursing home care when necessary

For PACE providers, the program can be a singular entity or a complement to an existing health care establishment. PACE providers work closely with other elder-care providers, such as assisted living, hospice, home care and nursing home operators, to meet the needs of the local elderly population. PACE providers combine funding from several sources, including Medicare, Medicaid and private pay, to deliver this comprehensive health care system.

Altitude Edge has extensive experience helping health care providers open a PACE program of their own. To learn more about how to explore, develop or improve a PACE in your community, read more.