Keeping Up with the PACE of Aging
At CenterLight PACE, we understand that growing older may present health challenges, and that the pace of aging can get overwhelming.
More and more, there’s a growing need for services for individuals who are aging and/or may have a form of disability. Let’s look at the numbers: Currently, New York State has more than 4.3 million older adults, ranking 4th in the nation in the number of individuals age 60 and over.* The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University previously projected that the number of older adult households in the United States in which at least one person has a disability will be at an estimated 12 million by 2035—with many of them requiring assistance with activities of daily living to be able to stay in their homes.**
It’s not easy for anyone to deal with healthcare concerns—it can be expensive, stressful, and may get confusing. For older adults, it can be especially tough, not just for them but also for their caregivers. As we age, our health issues may start to multiply, and managing multiple conditions, along with other aspects of life, can feel too much to handle even with support from family and friends.
Depending on need, there are programs that can help. I have devoted my career to the health and well-being of older adults, managing nursing homes, managed long term care, and other community-based programs. Based on my experience, I can confidently say that PACE is a great option for those who need complete care but want to remain in their homes and communities.
PACE stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. This Medicare and Medicaid program for adults 55+ provides all the services our participants need to help them stay well and living independently in their own homes. CenterLight PACE is the largest non-profit and one of the oldest such programs in the nation. Our services include, but are not limited to, medical and home care, dental, vision, hearing, rehabilitation services, access to open gym, therapeutic recreation services, prescription drugs, Over the Counter (OTC) items, transportation, and more.*** We manage and coordinate our participants’ care, so that they don’t have to.
We understand that in addition to their health, older adults also face other issues brought not only by aging but the ever-changing and fast-paced environment we live in as well. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, for example, brought with it social and economic hardships that many are still recovering from. CenterLight recognizes this, and to help with basic needs such as food and toiletries, our PACE participants get a My Needs Card with $170 a month**** to spend on eligible items.
There are aspects of aging that do not necessarily come to mind when planning for the future, or when thinking of solutions as health issues arise. Living well as one ages does not mean only worrying about health, but also keeping true to who the person is—their own unique histories and cultural traditions—so we work to ensure that care is individualized according to each of our participants’ needs and preferences. The goal is to help them make the most of each day whether doing activities they love, or even discovering new passions and making new friends at our PACE centers.
The CenterLight PACE Interdisciplinary Team (IDT)--which includes, but is not limited to, doctors, nurses, rehab therapists, social workers, dietitians, and therapeutic recreation specialists--provides care and support that can help navigate the challenges faced by older adults and their loved ones. We believe in a holistic approach: caring for the person as a team and making sure their needs are met medically and have positive effects on their social, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Together with our growing network of providers, our participants, and their caregivers, we can keep up with the pace of agingr to provide high quality care to those we serve.
This blog post is written by Tara Buonocore-Rut, President and Chief Executive Officer at CenterLight Healthcare PACE.
H3329_2022Blog_PACEofAging Approved 10122022
Last updated October 3, 2022
*From the New York State Department for the Aging
**Data from Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, 2017 Study
***Medical necessity is determined by the IDT.
****No rollover. The My Needs Card does not substitute for required or already provided Medicaid and/or Medicare covered services under the PACE standard benefit package.