September is PACE Month in California

PACE Addresses Growing Needs for Senior Care

In a show of support for PACE, the transformative model of senior care, the California Assembly passed a resolution that designates September as PACE month in California.

Center for Elders’ Independence offers PACE to seniors in the East Bay.

PACE is widely recognized as the gold standard of care for seniors with multiple health challenges.

During PACE Month, Center for Elders’ Independence and the California PACE Association, known as CalPACE, are educating seniors, their caregivers, medical providers, and elected officials about the benefits of PACE.

What is PACE? Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly

PACE 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 or assisted living placement. 

PACE provides a full range of preventive services at their wellness centers and in the home so families can keep older adults living at home. This approach provides tremendous benefits to California in annual savings of up to $22.6 million.

PACE achieves highly successful health and social outcomes by caring for the whole person with a personalized care plan that supports their medical, social, emotional and nutritional needs. Although every participant enrolled in PACE has multiple heath challenges that meet the requirements for nursing home care, more than 95 percent can continue living in their homes across California with the services and support they receive through PACE. 

PACE Treats People Well, Like Family

CEI participant, Cao, Peixia, understands the value of the PACE model of care. “As soon as I enrolled in CEI, my life started getting better. Not only do they take care of my medical problems immediately, but I feel I am being respected and valued. They treat me with dignity, and they treat me well. All of that helps me do better physically. I love coming to CEI because it feels like home and the staff is like family to me.”

By 2030, 1 in 3 Californians are projected to be over age 50. To meet the growing need for senior care in the East Bay, CEI is implementing a vigorous expansion plan to increase access to the PACE model of care for more elderly residents in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. 

PACE Improves Lives in the Bay Area

“We have added substantial capacity with new and refurbished state-of-the-art centers in San Leandro, El Sobrante, Downtown Oakland and, in the near future, Concord,” said Linda Trowbridge, CEO, Center for Elders’ Independence.

“Our new facilities are designed to incorporate the expressed priorities of our participants.

“By offering engaging social activities, new friends, nutritious meals, a place to exercise safely, and actively coordinated, excellent medical care, all provided in beautiful, contemporary setting, we continue to improve the lives of vulnerable seniors throughout the region,” added Trowbridge.

PACE Health Care was Invented in California

PACE, developed in 1971 by San Francisco-based On Lok, now includes 129 programs serving more than 50,000 participants in 31 states. PACE programs throughout California serve more than 8,800 participants at 47 PACE Centers and Alternative Care Sites in 14 counties. Since its founding in 1982, Oakland-based CEI has grown to provide medical, social, emotional, and nutritional services to 770 seniors.   

“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 at Center for Elders’ Independence 

Now in its 37th year, CEI operates PACE centers in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Leandro, as well as Adult Day Health Centers in Oakland and El Sobrante, all serving seniors in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. CEI’s integrated healthcare model known as PACE (the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) provides full medical, dental, vision, podiatry, home care and case management services that are reimbursed by both Medicare and Medi-Cal. In addition, CEI supports seniors with physical, occupational, and massage therapy, transportation to medical appointments and CEI day centers, nutritious food served in centers and delivered to homes, social outings and activities, a senior fitness gym, and much more.