THE TEN MOST ASKED QUESTIONS

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR ELDERS INDEPENDENCE

1.      What is the Center for Elders Independence? 

CEI is a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a long-term comprehensive health care program that enables older adults to live at home in their communities for as long as medically and socially possible.  CEI is committed to helping older adults maintain their independence, dignity and quality of life.  CEI is a Health Plan which provides all medical care (24-hours-a-day), a PACE Day Center, home care services and transportation.

2.      What do you mean by PACE?

PACE creatively coordinates the care of each participant enrolled in the program based on his or her individual needs with the goal of enabling older individuals to remain living in their community.

3.      What kinds of services does CEI provide to those who participate?    

Those who qualify to participate in CEI receive the following services and more:

w        ALL physician, specialist, and nursing care

w        ALL prescription drugs and durable medical equipment

w        ALL dental, eye, and foot care

w        ALL hospital care, emergency, and nursing home care

w        ALL rehabilitative therapies

4.      How much does CEI cost?

If you are fully eligible for Medi-Cal and entitled to Medicare, the services described above are covered at no cost to you. However, if Medi-Cal beneficiaries have a share of cost they are responsible.

 

Medicare only beneficiaries pay a monthly fee equal to the Medi-Cal payment.

 

We also accept private pay individuals.

5.      How does a person qualify to join CEI?

A person qualifies if she or he:

w        Is 55 years of age or older

w        Is a resident of El Cerrito, Richmond and San Pablo in West Contra Costa County. Is a resident of El Sobrante and Kensington in Contra Costa County.  In Alameda County, we serve Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Emeryville, Hayward, Oakland, Piedmont, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, and the City of Alameda.

w        Meets the requirement for skilled nursing home care as determined by our interdisciplinary team assessment and certified by the California Department of Health Services.

w        Can live in the community without jeopardizing his or her health or safety.

6.      How would I get to CEI and what would I do there?

Transportation is provided by CEI.  One of our specially equipped vans picks you up at home and bring you to CEI for the day.  You may get a medical clinic check-up, physical and occupational therapy depending on your needs.  You will get a hot meal, plus social and recreational activities with other participants at our PACE site.

 

7.      What if my health limits me from coming to CEI...are there any in-home services I would receive? 

Those who are eligible will receive in-home care services (these services must be necessary and you must be approved by our interdisciplinary team to receive them), including but not limited to:

 

w        Personal care (bathing, grooming, dressing)

w        Housekeeping (assist in light cleaning, cooking, laundry, and may accompany shopping)

8.      What about my personal doctors?

CEI participants agree to receive all health care services exclusively from CEI’s interdisciplinary team which consists of a physician, clinic & homecare nurses, social worker, physical, occupational, speech, and recreational therapists, healthcare worker and transportation representative.

 

As a participant of CEI you will have medical care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

 

CEI’s goal is to develop and provide a care plan specifically for you, based on your needs.  We coordinate your medical care, including hearing needs, foot and eye care and medications; rehabilitative therapy, nutrition, recreational activities, home care, and transportation.

9.      If I want to join CEI, what do I do next?

First we schedule a home visit with you and your caregiver to tell you more about CEI.  Next we arrange a tour of the PACE site for you and your family/caregiver(s), and finally we schedule a complete

medical and social assessment for you by our interdisciplinary team.

 

10.      How can I get more information? 

CEI’s outreach/intake representatives are available at 510-433-1150.  They can answer your questions and arrange for a personal interview.

 

We invite you to visit any of CEI’s three locations.

With CEI you can face the future with peace of mind and a sense of security.