Tag Archive for: MercyLIFE PACE

PACE: Where You Belong – Part 1: Transforming Lives Through Community-Centric Care for Older Adults

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This year, as we celebrate National PACE Month-themed “PACE: Where You Belong,” we begin our 3-part blog series to spotlight each of our eight PACE programs, whose goal is fostering community and connectivity—fundamental elements for individual well-being. For our first blog, we hear stories from three PACE programs; Serenity Care, Mercy LIFE, and Element Care that exemplify the PACE model’s ability to cultivate a compassionate, interconnected community.

The Serenity PACE Approach: Human-Centered Care and Connection

“Who could have ever thought that my ‘golden’ years would turn out to be the happiest period of my life?”

These heartfelt words came from an extraordinary participant who became part of the Serenity Care PACE community four years ago. Initially, she faced the intimidating option of moving into a nursing home, a proposal made even more daunting by language barriers, unfamiliar foods, and her aversion to institutional settings stemming from past experiences.

Then came her serendipitous discovery of Serenity Care PACE. Today, she leads a life of independence and community involvement, especially within her faith group. Her daughter lives in Los Angeles and has witnessed her mother’s metamorphosis:

“Before PACE, every call with my mom left me in tears. She was lonely and anxious, and getting clear information about her health was a struggle. The guilt was overwhelming. Now, she’s cheerful, shares stories about her days at the center, and, most importantly, I’m kept in the loop about her health and medications. Our lives have improved dramatically. We’re so grateful.”

A Lifeline for Independence: The Mercy LIFE PACE Story

In November 2019, Mercy LIFE came into contact with a younger, older adult living with his mother, his lifelong primary caregiver. Born with a brain injury, his life took a turn when his elderly mother could no longer provide the level of care he needed, contemplating a move to long-term care facilities as a last resort.

The man, known for socializing at the neighborhood corner store, often could not return home, resulting in numerous falls from his wheelchair. Faced with this predicament, his sister began exploring alternatives, eventually stumbling upon the PACE program at Mercy LIFE.

After an initial meeting with the family, it was evident that his 86-year-old mother was at her breaking point. Taking a chance on PACE, they enrolled him in the day center, where he now receives personal care and undergoes physical therapy. Now, not only can he use his walker for short distances, but he’s also become a cheerful part of the community, participating in activities and socializing enthusiastically. Thanks to Mercy LIFE PACE, he can age in place, right in the comfort of his home.

A Personal Perspective: Carol Pallazolla and Element Care PACE

Carol Pallazolla, a resident of Gloucester, serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Element Care PACE. After witnessing her mother, Mary, face health challenges, she encouraged her to join Element Care PACE.

“When I joined PACE, I met so many nice people. My nurse, Emma, and my Physical Therapist Grace, to name a few. I have had shoulder pain for so long, and for the first time in a long time…I am pain-free,” said Mary.

Before joining the program, Mary was saddled with a $45 co-pay for each physical therapy session and struggled with medication costs. Now, she not only receives her medications but also gets prescribed Eliquis, which she couldn’t afford previously. Additionally, Mary got a free Grandpad tablet, through which she participates in virtual exercise classes, plays games, and even finds a lifeline during a power outage to connect with her daughter.

Mary sums it up best:
‘I feel pampered…..When you get older, and things start happening to you, it is hard to accept help, but since PACE, the best word I can say is “pampered.” I feel pampered, I feel looked after.’

As we continue to navigate the complexities of healthcare and aging, especially in these isolating times, the stories above illustrate why PACE isn’t just a program—it’s a community where older adults genuinely belong.

PACE Nurses Meet people where they are

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This article was originally posted on The Reporter. Read the full article here.

As a nurse, I can tell you the national nursing shortage is not just media hype.

Too many good colleagues are leaving the profession, creating vacancies throughout medical settings. But I still believe the same thing I thought when I entered this profession: Nursing remains a rewarding and fulfilling way to make a living.

Especially if you are someone who has the care gene.

Some background: I work as a PACE nurse, meaning I am part of a growing model of home and community-based care for some seniors who need the skills of a nursing home but are able to live safely in the community with support.

PACE is an acronym for Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly and is a viable option for an increasing number of seniors. I used to work in hospitals, but PACE nursing is where I found my calling.

Being an effective nurse in a PACE environment means meeting people where they are. You adjust your strategies to meet the goals of the participant.

Nursing in PACE is gratifying. You can see the differences and benefits in someone’s life. You remember why it is you went into nursing in the first place.

If it weren’t for PACE, I may never have met the mayor of Sharon Hill.

The mayor isn’t an actual elected official, and when I met him, he was in bad health and had a poor diet. He was more than 200 pounds overweight. I felt he was literally eating himself to death.

In the case of the mayor, he was unable to walk at all because of his excess weight. When I met him, I could sense the desperation. He didn’t want to die, but he didn’t quite understand how to turn around his own health.

In essence, he was giving up on himself. But we believed in him and never quit trying to help him improve his outlook.

Change takes time, and we weren’t going to help the mayor with one visit. But PACE allows for continuous care because it follows a different insurance reimbursement model, one that rewards positive outcomes and is free for our eligible participants.

Because PACE programs receive a capped reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid, we are financially incented to keep our clients out of the hospital.

Over time, he lost enough weight to qualify for a gastric bypass procedure. Today, the mayor can walk on his own, no cane or walker. Even better, he has a new mental outlook on life.

The mayor believes in himself, and that makes us believe in him, too. He strides through the PACE center with the self-confidence of a public officeholder. This is why we nickname him the mayor.

When someone enters a PACE program, they receive access to chronic care management. We work with a patient over time, helping them take the baby steps that eventually lead to giant strides.

I am one of the lucky ones. I get to experience the good side of nursing every day. And, if you have the care gene, you can see the upside of nursing, too.

I spent more than a decade as an emergency room nurse, so I have experienced nursing through two different professional lenses.

I’ve been there to work on cases that are stressful, where split-second decision making is needed to save a life.

My current role also has stressful moments but the stresses are different and infinitely rewarding.

The start of the COVID-19 pandemic reminded us of the daily bravery and heroism of ER nurses. The stories you read and saw were all 100% true.

Still, nurses are heroes every day, not only in the throes of a pandemic. And not just in hospital settings.

The COVID-19 pandemic, while not officially over, is certainly not as intense as it was in March 2020.

We need to recognize the altruistic efforts of nurses, regardless of setting.

Indeed, nursing heroes can be found in physician offices, long-term care facilities, in rehab facilities and, yes, at PACE centers.

Nursing is not only a career, it is a calling. It is one of those professions that truly allow you to go the extra mile for people.

If you want a career where you feel needed, nursing may be for you. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 194,500 average annual openings for registered nurses each year until 2030.

Please look into being one of us. We need hard workers with generous hearts. We need people with the care gene in their DNA.