The PACE model evolved through the belief and experience that older adults with chronic care needs, and their families and caregivers, are better served by living in their homes and communities whenever possible.
PACE is a national model of care that is both supported and regulated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and State Administering Agencies (SAAs). The SAA in Massachusetts is Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
The PACE model started in the 1970s in San Francisco. Members of the Chinatown-Northbeach community were seeking home-based alternatives to nursing home care for their elders who had immigrated from China, Italy and the Philippines Unable to find a solution, the community formed a nonprofit service organization known as On Lok Senior Health Services to provide care for these elderly adults through a community-based system. It created what would become the flexible and comprehensive Program of All-Inclusive Care (PACE) model as a demonstration project.
The results were positive. So much so that a grant was given by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop a model for this type of care that could be duplicated in other parts of the country. Massachusetts was an early PACE programs pioneer and with the leadership of the East Boston Neighborhood Center, six PACE programs were established in Massachusetts, including Summit ElderCare® . The results confirmed the value of PACE and a national organization, the National PACE Association, was formed.
PACE provides care and services that may include:
- Medical care, including both physician and nursing care
- Medical specialties, including audiology, dentistry, optometry, podiatry and speech therapy
- Physical and occupational therapies
- Recreational therapies
- Meals
- Nutritional counseling
- Social work counseling and services
- Home health care
- Personal care
- Prescription drugs
- Respite care
- Hospital and nursing home care (when necessary)
- Medical and adult day health center transportation
Click here to view a short video about the PACE model of care. This video was produced by the National PACE Association.
Benefits of being home. How PACE helps the participant.
Through the PACE program, participants receive a high level of care that includes prescription drug coverage, doctor and/or specialist visits, unlimited therapy visits and access to Adult Day Health Centers.
Because of the close relationship of the participant to the PACE program, physicians and nurses are on staff to take care of health issues right away. Changes in a participant's condition may be identified and treated more quickly than they may be without involvement in the PACE program.
The participants are able to stay in their communities and their own homes instead of having to enter a nursing home. Joining and socializing with peers in the adult day health center helps keep participants connected and involved in their well being and the health of their fellow participants.
The Summit ElderCare PACE program provides benefits for participants and their caregivers and providers in a number of important ways.
* In some cases, there may be a monthly premium required based on your income or assets. All services must be provided by or authorized by the PACE Interdisciplinary Team (except emergency services). PACE participants may be held liable for costs for unauthorized or out of PACE program agreement services.