Tag Archive for: Uphams PACE

PACE: Where You Belong – Part 2: Stories of Resilience and Community

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In our continued journey through the PACE narrative, we dive into the second chapter of our three-part series. Focusing on the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), we’re privileged to shed light on its transformative reach. As we embrace this month’s theme, “PACE: Where You Belong,” we illuminate the depth and breadth of PACE’s impact, highlighting its undying commitment to enhancing the holistic well-being of its elderly participants and their caregivers. Here are two touching tales that capture the heart of PACE.

Uphams PACE: Sarah’s Dream of Community Living Realized

Since joining Upham’s PACE in 2016, Sara (name altered for privacy) has faced a series of daunting challenges. With a past marked by homelessness, Sara was residing in a PACE-contracted Assisted Living Facility at the time of her registration. Unfortunately, a severe fall that led to hospitalization and subsequent nursing facility care rendered her ineligible to remain in her assisted living space. With limited family backing and the intricate nature of housing documentation, her dreams of community living remained unfulfilled. Sara’s only alternative was long-term residence in a nursing home, a setting she endured for six years.

However, Sara’s PACE Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) firmly believed a nursing home wasn’t the right fit for her. Committed to realizing Sara’s dream of community living, the IDT, despite facing hurdles like inadequate family support, regulatory constraints, and Sara’s health issues, tirelessly championed her cause. Their dedication bore fruit earlier this year when Sara transitioned to a PACE supportive housing apartment. Today, Sara relishes her daily visits to the PACE Center, receives diligent care from the PACE staff, and dances with a renewed spirit. Relieved to be out of institutional care, Sara is a testament to the collaborative, patient-centric approach of the PACE IDT and Supportive Housing teams.

Harbor Health PACE: Maria’s Heartfelt Testimony of Family and Care

Upon learning about the program through her daughter, Maria recalls with gratitude, “I called, and they accepted me – thank God.” Maria paints a poignant picture of loneliness many seniors feel, stating, “If I were at home, I’d have no one to talk to; my daughter would be working, everyone is busy.” However, PACE has given her a vibrant social environment that she cherishes deeply. “I feel like it’s my family,” she says, emphasizing the camaraderie she feels with everyone, from fellow members to the staff – even sharing that the lady who picks up the trash chats with her in Spanish.

Maria’s days at PACE are filled with joyful activities. She enthusiastically shares that from playing dominoes and bingo to dancing, “even though I am in a wheelchair, I still do the shimmy.” While her family in Puerto Rico often inquires about PACE, Maria proudly tells them about her fulfilling experiences and the diverse group of people she interacts with daily. Maria’s words of wisdom to her friends? “If you can join, you should.” One of the most touching aspects of her journey at PACE is her close bond with her aide, Sandia. To Maria, Sandia is more than just an aide; she’s like a daughter. They even share moments of joy, with Maria chatting to Sandia’s grandmother over FaceTime. Maria, who spent her entire life catering to her family, eloquently sums up her experience, “It’s so nice to be at this stage of life and be taken care of so well.”

As this chapter concludes, the tales of Sara and Maria underscore the significance of PACE and its unwavering dedication to its community. Stay with us for the final part of our inspiring series.

Podcast: Keep up with PACE: Episode 08 Adam Burrows

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This podcast was originally posted on Carevention. Listen to the podcast here.

Join us for this podcast series, hosted by Ankur Patel, MD, MBA, FAAFP, Chief Medical Officer at Tabula Rasa HealthCare. The podcast focuses on strategies to grow Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) as one of the best models of care for the frail elderly. Each episode features interviews with expert PACE professionals.

Free program supports Massachusetts seniors living at home

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This was originally posted on WCVB.com. Read the full post and watch the video here.

COVID-19 has dramatically impacted older adults, through illness or the isolation often needed to keep them healthy. In Massachusetts, a free program is supporting those able to stay in their homes by partnering with families as the pandemic continues to take its toll.

Gloria Williams has always been independent. As she got older and her medical needs increased, she was determined to stay at her home in Dorchester.

“Just to leave my home and to a nursing home, I’m not ready for that yet,” Williams said.

So about 10 years ago, she joined MassPACE: Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. It’s a federally and state-funded program, an alternative to nursing home care that keeps seniors living at home.

“In general, older adults prefer to age in place at home if they can,” said Dr. Adam Burrows, medical director for the Upham’s Corner Health Center PACE program in Dorchester.

He said participants are 55 years and older, with medical and social needs that would qualify them for a nursing home. Instead, they’re trying to live at home and that’s where PACE teams come in.

“Made up of primary care providers, social workers, nurses, occupational and physical therapists, registered nurses, dietitians who together assess our participants, decide on a finely calibrated individualized care plans,” Burrows said.

Pre-COVID, much of this work had been done at the PACE centers — the clinical care as well social events — but the coronavirus changed that.

“So we relied on daily telephonic outreach. We relied on video technology. We relied upon staff going into homes,” Burrows said.

They also relied on family like Williams’ granddaughter, TaMarsha Williams. PACE hired and trained her to be Gloria’s personal care worker.

“It was all new to me, but I know I can give her the best care. When we were younger, she took care of me and my siblings and now it’s reversed. Me taking care of her, just trying to pay her back,” TaMarsha Williams said.

Burrows said that sense of community is exactly what PACE is about.

“When we think of taking care of these very vulnerable older adults, we’re also thinking about how do we create healthier households and healthier communities.”

There are 130 PACE programs across the country, eight of them in Massachusetts. Nationally, they’re seeing an increased interest in the program as families and older adults look for options.