Eighty-three percent of elderly Americans say they hope to remain in their homes until the end of their lives, according to a recent study conducted by the Department of Health Care Services. Sixty percent say they’d rather die than go to a nursing home.
Often, though, it’s just not feasible for seniors to continue living on their own because of medical issues or because they reach a point at which they can no longer take care of themselves.
Now San Diegans are fortunate to have an excellent solution to this seemingly insoluble dilemma “” the new PACE program from St. Paul’s Retirement Homes Foundation, which opened this month.
PACE stands for Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. Begun in San Francisco in the 1970s, the program is now in over 34 cities nationwide. St. Paul’s PACE is the only program of its kind in San Diego.
According to Amanda Dunkin, marketing director for St. Paul’s PACE, the program provides coordinated medical and social services to those who wish to continue living in their own home or community environment “” such as assisted living “” despite chronic health needs.
According to Dunkin, the program is hailed by many as a welcome alternative to nursing home care. In addition to medical care, benefits include housecleaning service, transportation to and from St. Paul’s and even meals if necessary. St. Paul’s also provides a senior day care center with hot lunches and even a pleasant afternoon tea, among other amenities. Medical appointments take place in St. Paul’s medical clinic. Meals are contracted with Meals on Wheels, while doctors and dentists are also contracted out.
With the PACE program, each patient has a care team that puts together a care plan for her or him, coordinating appointments and needs. And the vehicles that transport them to those appointments are conveniently equipped with a wheelchair lift.
One potential participant, a San Diego man with a bad knee who depended on walking with a cane, remarked that the transportation would be a boon for him. He said his doctor was in Chula Vista and he had actually been walking all the way there whenever he had an appointment.
Funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the California Department of Health Care Services, PACE is available to people ages 55 or older, who live in St. Paul’s service area and are MediCal eligible. Patients must also be approved by the California Department of Health Services.
Laurie L. Sanchez, 80, found out about St. Paul’s PACE while reading Medicare 2008 information mailed to her. She investigated and took a tour of the facilities. Sanchez applied, was approved and eagerly awaited its opening.
Sanchez lives downtown on Front Street. While she’s generally in good health, she is plagued with arthritis.
“I cannot do my chores at home anymore,” she says. “My daughter works so she can’t take me to the doctor. My daughter worries about me, but I’d rather stay in my home. I’ll be better off with PACE.”
Some in the medical community see PACE as a potential benefit for their elderly patients, too. Keith Fero, a registered nurse, works as case manager supervisor for Scripps Mercy Hospital. He attended the open house for St. Paul’s PACE in early December.
“The whole program was new to me,” Fero says. “I’m hoping they’ll provide help for our patients at Mercy. I would definitely recommend the program. With all the extra benefits it affords, our patients would certainly benefit.”
St. Paul’s PACE is located downtown at 111 Elm Street. They are available by phone at (619) 677-3800. For more information, including information regarding St. Paul’s PACE service areas, visit www.stpaulspace.org.