Tag Archive for: Element Care

30 years of integrated care: How Element Care’s PACE program supports seniors

/in , /by

This article was originally published on McKnights HomeCare.

Imagine battling chronic illness, struggling to coordinate appointments, manage medications, and deciphering confusing insurance policies — all while feeling isolated and unsupported. These are not unique incidents but rather the harsh reality faced by many seniors as they navigate the daunting healthcare system alone.

In today’s fragmented healthcare landscape, the vision of a holistic approach to well-being remains elusive, particularly for seniors grappling with complex medical needs. As the population of seniors continues to grow, so do the challenges they encounter in accessing quality, coordinated healthcare. This is why it’s critical to raise awareness about the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) as we celebrate National PACE Month this September. At Element Care PACE, we’re proud to celebrate three decades of commitment to seniors, and highlighting how PACE programs enable seniors to receive the care they need in the comfort of their own homes and communities for as long as possible, allowing them to be independent while receiving interdisciplinary care.

The growing need for integrated, coordinated senior care

As of 2023, 1.2 million Massachusetts residents were aged 65+, up 32.2% since 2010. As the Massachusetts population ages, the demand for high-quality, coordinated senior care is only intensifying. According to the National Council on Aging, about 93% of older adults have at least one chronic condition, and nearly 80% have two or more, often requiring complex management and coordination between multiple healthcare providers, yet 42% of older adults reported poor care coordination.

Without proper integrated, coordinated senior care, elderly individuals are put at a greater risk of preventable issues like medication dosage and timing errors, missed diagnoses from lack of adequate doctors’ appointments, unnecessary hospitalization, and overall gaps in care. The complexity of receiving quality care as people age can turn into a full-time job between appointments, follow-ups, sorting through insurance coverage, obtaining referrals, pursuing appeals — the list goes on. Fortunately, there is a solution for adults and caregivers contending with this situation, and that’s where all-inclusive programs like PACE come into play.

All-inclusive and all in one place

PACE programs streamline healthcare for older adults by bringing all medical care under one roof, including interdisciplinary care teams, an emphasized focus on preventive medicine, and a commitment to personalized attention. Built to bridge gaps in senior care, PACE provides a comprehensive, holistic model of care that helps reduce barriers and offers a proactive and person-centered approach, particularly for low-income seniors.

Element Care, which has been delivering PACE services for the past 30 years in Massachusetts, has seen this model evolve from a niche offering to a nationally recognized solution for aging populations. We’ve continued to evolve through partnerships with organizations such as 2Life to offer integrated housing models, enabling participants to maintain their independence, while having on-site access to medical care. This helps address the growing senior housing crisis and supports the needs of aging adults, improving health outcomes and providing connection and community.

Alleviating caregiver burdens for families and individuals

The growing burden on the ‘sandwich generation’ who are caring for both children and aging parents has surged to an estimated 11 million people in the U.S. PACE helps to alleviate burdens faced by this generation by providing peace of mind and assurance that their loved one is receiving comprehensive, coordinated care tailored to their needs.

Seniors reap the benefits of having their care consolidated through PACE — not only does it alleviate stress and take off the pressure of managing complex medical care, but there is also a cost benefit to the consolidated care model as well. Participants who qualify for PACE programs don’t pay for co-pays, glasses, transportation, therapy visits, procedures, or any other qualifying medical costs. When necessary, home health visits from nurses, dietitians, and physical therapy are also included. PACE empowers seniors to take control of their health and maintain a sense of independence.

Why the future of senior care depends on programs like PACE

As we face a surge in the aging population, the future of elder care must be proactive, not reactive. Now more than ever we must raise awareness among our communities that programs like PACE are an option for our loved seniors. Programs like PACE demonstrate how coordinated, person-centered care reduces hospitalizations, lowers costs, and improves quality of life. We’re working to expand our reach, enhance services, and remain a trusted partner in helping older adults age with independence. We’re continuing to expand our integrated senior housing models to offer affordable housing units for seniors.

This National PACE Month join us in celebrating the progress we’ve made and our commitment to providing healthcare that meets the needs of our aging population. As we celebrate 30 years of Element Care PACE, we honor the seniors we serve, our committed team members who live out our mission every day, and the vision of a future where every senior has access to the compassionate, coordinated care they deserve.

Doug Thompson is CEO at Element Care PACE.

Bob Durante Retires as CFO of Element Care

/in , /by

This article was originally published on NPA Online.

Bob Durante retired from his position as chief financial officer (CFO) of Element Care on Jan. 6 after 27 years of dedicated service. Durante played a pivotal role in the growth of Element Care, from its first location in Lynn to an organization with eight sites spanning Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk counties and Washington, DC.

He contributed significantly to the financial success of Element Care and the development of new facilities that will ensure its long-term growth. He was a member of the NPA Finance Committee for more than a dozen years.

“We are grateful for the countless hours and personal sacrifices he made to elevate Element Care into a leading PACE organization that fulfills its mission of providing high-quality health care to aging seniors,” the organization said in a press release. “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Bob for his unwavering service and the positive impact he has made on Element Care.”

Aging with Dignity in a Supportive Community

/in , /by

On June 2, 2022, 2Life Communities, Element Care, and partner organizations and funders launched the construction for the redevelopment of the J.J. Carroll BHA building that will have 142 additional affordable units for older adults in Brighton

It was a beautiful day on Chestnut Hill Avenue in Brighton, where old and new colleagues gathered around the construction site of the John J. Carroll apartments. The Boston Housing Authority, 2Life Communities, and its partners, including MassHousing, the City of Boston, and Element Care PACE gathered in celebration of the unveiling of the redevelopment of the property. The building was chosen for modernization and currently holds 64 units; the new construction plans will create 142 new units and an 11,000-square-foot PACE center.

Amy Schectman, 2Life’s President and CEO, led the ceremony and started the event by bringing to the stage the city’s new Mayor, Michelle Wu. As a longtime housing advocate, Mayor Wu celebrated the planning process, which was inclusive of its residents in the design process. She then applauded the team’s collaborative efforts, choosing to partner with Element Care to include a PACE center on-site, ensuring these residents can age in place with the services they need. She closed her speech by switching to Spanish to ensure everyone heard her message.


L-R: Jennifer Crampton, Wells Fargo; Mayor Michelle Wu, Secretary Marylou Sudders

Secretary Marylou Sudders of the MA Executive Office of Health and Human Services followed Mayor Wu, stressing the importance of upholding the value of respect. She described how we respect our older adults by ensuring they have affordable housing and long-term care in their community. She praised 2Life for its creativity and innovation and for making it a priority for residents to remain in their communities, stay active, be taken care of and thrive. Secretary Sudders, a supporter of the PACE model, described her vision of having more PACE/Housing partnerships: “We are taking this model across the State, we can do it in Boston, and we plan to do it across the Commonwealth.”

Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox of the MA Department of Housing and Community Development echoed Secretary Sudders’ praises for the PACE model of care for older adults, “a few retire in Florida, [but] most want to stay in the community with family and friends.” Amy Schectman described how PACE shares 2Life’s goal of focusing on “holistic and preventive care” and keeping residents in their units, adapting as they age, based on need.


At the Podium, Bob Wakefield of Element Care

MassPACE’s longest-serving Board Member and Executive Director of the Element Care PACE program, Bob Wakefield, closed the event with key takeaways – the importance of affordable housing, the strength of the PACE model, and collaborative efforts like the JJ Carroll renovation, that combine the two visions. Bob describes the JJ Carroll project as a particularly innovative partnership that he believes will “address the social determinants of health on a scale that has never been seen before.” With on-site amenities such as an urgent care center, Bob believes we are one step closer to eliminating the need for long-term care facilities.

The event’s energy was contagious. The group of people gathered at the event were those who worked day-in and day-out during the pandemic to ensure those they served avoided the deadly COVID-19 virus. Their tireless efforts allowed them to form and strengthen connections. Together, they are creating an inclusive and supportive environment that gives older adults the respect they deserve. 2Life’s board chair, Jeffery Sach, summarized the project ‘s mission: “to encourage aging with dignity in a supportive community.”