Tag Archive for: PACE Expansion

PACE Reaches Major Milestone with 200 Programs Nationwide

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This article was originally published on NPA.

WASHINGTON, DC – Feb. 26, 2026 – The National PACE Association (NPA) today announced a significant milestone for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) with the opening of the 200th PACE program, PACE Northeast Michigan in Alpena, MI.

“Becoming the 200th PACE organization in the country, while also being one of the most rural programs nationwide, is an incredible honor for Northeast Michigan,” said Jeff Meden, executive director of PACE Northeast Michigan. “This milestone reflects the hard work of our team and the strength of our community partnerships. Most importantly, it means older adults in our region now have access to comprehensive, coordinated care that allows them to live safely and independently in the communities they love.”

Today, PACE programs operate in 33 states and the District of Columbia. Through continued growth, PACE provides comprehensive medical and social services to more than 91,000 older adults, enabling seniors to live safely in their homes and communities rather than transitioning to nursing home care.

The community-based model of care is designed to serve older adults with complex health care needs who qualify for a nursing home-level of care but prefer to age in place. Introduced 55 years ago in San Francisco by On Lok, PACE offers seniors, their families and caregivers an integrated, person-centered alternative to institutional care.

“Reaching this milestone provides us with an opportunity to look back and be thankful for the work of the early pioneers at On Lok who dreamed about a better way to provide care to our seniors,” said Shawn Bloom, president and CEO of the National PACE Association. “They worked outside the confines of our health care system to develop a model based on the independence, dignity, and quality of life of each senior enrolled in the program.”

The PACE model of care utilizes interdisciplinary teams that include primary care providers, registered nurses, home care coordinators, personal care attendants, dietitians, social workers, transportation staff, PACE center managers, and physical, occupational and recreational therapists. Services range from primary and specialty medical care and prescription drugs to transportation, meals and social engagement. The services are coordinated to support the physical, emotional and mental health of participants.

PACE has had a measurable impact on the quality of life of participants. Supported by coordinated care that addresses their medical, social and functional needs, 94 percent are able to continue living in their communities.

“Over the years NPA and the PACE community have adapted the model to changing times,” said Bloom. “I am proud that the core purpose of the model – to support seniors in the community – remains stronger than ever.”

PACE has tripled its rate of growth in recent years, coinciding with a pivotal moment for the nation’s health care system. All baby boomers will be age 65 or over by 2030, and adults over 65 will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history by 2034. This historic demographic shift brings urgent challenges for seniors and their families, including access to affordable housing, caregiver support, workforce shortages, long-term care financing, and the integration of technology to improve safety and independence.

The National PACE Association continues to work with federal and state policy-makers to expand PACE and streamline the PACE enrollment process. Seniors with a need for daily support should be able to start PACE any day of the month. PACE addresses these challenges by offering a sustainable, outcomes-driven model of care for older adults with complex needs.

“Reaching the milestone of 200 programs reflects the growing recognition that older adults deserve care models that prioritize independence, dignity, and quality of life,” said Bloom. “As the population ages, PACE is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of seniors while strengthening families, caregivers and communities.”

Find a PACE program near you.

The National PACE Association (NPA) works to advance the efforts of PACE programs, which coordinate and provide preventive, primary, acute and long-term care services so older individuals can continue living in the community. The PACE model of care is centered on the belief that it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs and their families to be served in the community whenever possible. Follow us on social media. Find a PACE program near you.

Caregivers play key roles at the new Fallon elder care location in Dartmouth. Here’s why.

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This article was originally published on South Coast Today.

For the first time, older adults and caregivers in Southeastern Massachusetts can access the services offered by the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly so that they can live in their home community with dignity.

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Fallon Health Expands Elder Care Access with First PACE Program in Southeastern Massachusetts

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This article was originally published on Fallon Health.

New Dartmouth Location Opens with Powerful Community Conversation on Caregiving and Aging with Dignity

Dartmouth, Mass., Nov. 5, 2025―Fallon Health celebrated a major milestone with the launch of its Summit ElderCare® program in Dartmouth, bringing the first Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to Southeastern Massachusetts. The opening event, Care begins here: A conversation about caregiving, convened state leaders, health care experts, and community advocates to spotlight the vital role family caregivers play and the transformative impact PACE has on older adults.

Held during National Family Caregivers Month, the event took place at Fallon Health’s newest Summit ElderCare location in Dartmouth and featured a compelling conversation about the challenges of caregiving and resources available to family caregivers. It also featured a special address from Governor Maura Healey, who emphasized the importance of expanding access to comprehensive services for older adults.

“In Massachusetts, we are committed to ensuring that our older residents can age with dignity, independence and peace of mind,” said Governor Healey. “Programs like Fallon Health’s Summit ElderCare are lifelines for families—allowing older adults to age independently with access to high quality medical care, and giving caregivers the support they so urgently need. It’s great to see this innovative model expand in Southeastern Massachusetts, and we are proud to support Fallon Health’s efforts.”

Manny Lopes, President and CEO of Fallon Health, added insights on the impact of Summit ElderCare and the organization’s commitment to community-based care.

“This expansion reflects our commitment to meeting people where they are—at home, in their communities, and with the support they need to thrive,” said Lopes. “Summit ElderCare is more than a program. It’s a promise to older adults and their caregivers that they’re not alone.”

Fallon Health has been providing care for older adults with complex medical needs—and the caregivers who support them—since 1995. Summit ElderCare, Fallon Health’s PACE program, is designed to help older adults live independently while receiving comprehensive medical care and social support. With 7 Summit ElderCare locations across Massachusetts—including the new location in Dartmouth—Fallon Health reinforces its longstanding commitment to innovative, community-based elder care.

Element Care PACE Appoints New COO and CGRO to Drive Next Phase of Growth

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This article was originally published on Element Care.

Element Care PACE Appoints New COO and CGRO to Drive Next Phase of Growth Lynn, MA – August 19, 2025 – Element Care, a leading Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and managed care provider for Senior Care Options (SCO), is pleased to announce the appointment of Calay Ip, as the organization’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Calay is a highly accomplished and results-oriented healthcare executive with over 20 years of leadership experience driving strategic implementation, optimizing program design, and enhancing financial performance within complex healthcare organizations, with prior experience in Massachusetts’ PACE and SCO programs.

Calay is an expert in scaling operations for financial improvement and operational growth in senior care programs. With her deep knowledge of PACE and SCO programs, she will implement strategic growth initiatives, optimize program operations, and enhance business performance for meaningful outcomes at Element Care. Her extensive expertise includes key leadership roles at Point32 Health, and Mass General Brigham Health Plan, where she established herself as an industry leader in healthcare innovation and operational excellence. Calay holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Boston University Graduate School of Management with a specialization in Health Sector Management. She worked previously as the Vice President of Senior Care Programs at Neighbor Health in East Boston.

“In my over two decades of leadership experience across healthcare segments including PACE, SCO, and Medicaid, I’ve found my niche in optimizing operational scalability and leading senior care programs through phases of rapid growth,” said Calay Ip, COO at Element Care. “I’m honored to join Element Care and make an impact alongside a dedicated team that pushes forward the company’s vision of compassionate, affordable, coordinated care for seniors.”

“We’re excited to welcome Calay as our new COO, a leader with a proven track record of executing scalable operations and driving high performance initiatives. With Calay’s dedication to optimizing operations within senior care programs, we are confident that she will continue to grow our unique care model for seniors in Massachusetts,” said Douglas Thompson, CEO at Element Care.

The appointment comes as Mary Ellen Dugan, former COO, takes on a new role as Chief Government Relations Officer (CGRO). In this role, Mary Ellen will lead the company’s efforts in building and maintaining strong relationships with federal, state, and local government officials and regulators, serving as a key advocate in Element Care’s mission. Mary Ellen has over 25 years of leadership experience within the healthcare sector, focusing her career on serving marginalized populations in government funded settings. She has spearheaded multi-year major capital expansion projects, including the successful development of three PACE centers and the relocation of Element Care’s corporate headquarters.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to improving care for vulnerable and underserved populations, and my time at Element Care has only deepened that commitment,” said Mary Ellen Dugan, CGRO at Element Care. “I look forward to continuing to serve our PACE community in a different capacity by advocating for policies that will expand access to this life-changing model of care.”

“As we plan for our next phase of strategic growth at Element Care, strong, visionary leadership is crucial. Mary Ellen has been instrumental in shaping our success for the past 15 years, and in her new role as CGRO she will advocate for PACE and SCO models of care and strengthen our voice with policymakers,” said Thompson.

For more than 30 years, Element Care has provided the highest quality comprehensive healthcare to thousands of at-risk seniors. Currently, Element Care serves over 1,100 PACE participants and 1,850 SCO members across communities in Essex County, Merrimack Valley, and Greater Boston. PACE is a federally funded health care program that offers a range of services including preventive, primary, acute and long-term care.

About Element Care

Element Care is a non-profit healthcare organization with a simple mission: to help older adults live safely and comfortably in their homes and communities for as long as they can, keeping their stays in hospitals and nursing facilities as minimal as possible. Founded in 1994, Element Care’s PACE program was established as a joint venture of the Lynn Community Health Center and Greater Lynn Senior Services to bring PACE to seniors in the community. In 2004, Element Care partnered with Commonwealth Care Alliance to provide comprehensive clinical case management to at-risk SCO members. The organization offers a holistic approach to care that includes medical, social, and wellness services tailored to the unique needs of each participant and member.

PACE provider myPlace sees insurer partners as key to growth: CEO

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This article was originally published on Modern Healthcare.

Robbie Pottharst, CEO of myPlace Health, is out to woo Medicare and Medicaid insurers to expand its Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, business…

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Providers lay out challenges to PACE expansion

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This article was originally published on Modern Healthcare.

Executives said high start-up costs combined with complex federal and state requirements make it harder for them to grow a state and federal program aimed at keeping older adults out of nursing homes.

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How PACE is jockeying for position amid Medicaid cuts

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This article was originally published on Modern Healthcare.

A federal-state program aimed at keeping older adults out of nursing homes could come out a winner under the new federal tax law.

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Why PACE programs are joining forces with senior housing

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This article was originally published on Modern Healthcare.

Operators of a program designed to keep older adults out of nursing homes are looking to attract enrollees by integrating with senior housing communities.

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Fallon Healths opens Framingham senior care centers

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This article was originally published on Worcester Business Journal.

Worcester insurer Fallon Health has opened doors to its new Framingham older adult care location, further expanding the system’s reach into the MetroWest region.

Situated at 405 Cochituate Road, the new care center is part of Fallon’s Summit ElderCare program, the system’s iteration of the government-funded Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. PACE offers medical and social services to those 55 and older throughout Massachusetts and beyond.

Fallon’s Summit ElderCare site offers program participants services including physical and occupational therapies and provides shower and laundry facilities. The site features three exam rooms, lab and office space, and a conference room for care planning, according to a Tuesday press release.

The new center will provide adult day health services in collaboration with neighboring programs including Dia Feliz Adult Day Health Center, a Framingham-based multi-lingual health support services organization.

“One of the things that makes PACE so unique is our team-based approach to care. At our new location, participants and their families will have local access to many of our dedicated specialists, spending less time on the road and more time focused on their health and well-being,” Kristine Bostek, senior vice president of PACE programs, said in the release.

Summit ElderCare care centers offer medical care, social support, adult day health, and health insurance to seniors living with chronic care needs with many services offered in-home.

Established in 1995, Fallon Health’s PACE operates under the supervision of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Fallon’s Framingham site marks the system’s sixth Summit ElderCare PACE center in the state, in addition to Leominster, Webster, Worcester, Lowell, and Springfield,, according to the program’s website.

With 129,688 members, Fallon Health is the seventh largest health insurer in Central Massachusetts when ranked by total Massachusetts members as of Dec. 31, 2023, according to data compiled by WBJ’s Research Department.

Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.