INDIANAPOLIS – Imagine a community-based
health program providing a range of services to seniors who might otherwise
need nursing home level care.
That’s exactly what Franciscan Alliance
will soon be delivering to local seniors through the Franciscan Senior Health
& Wellness – PACE program. PACE
(Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a Medicare program for
adults age 55 and older and having chronic care needs. PACE is a national
program, and Franciscan Senior Health & Wellness will offer the first of
its kind in Indiana.
The PACE Center, located at the
intersection of Southport and Franklin roads on the city’s far south side, will
be formally opened to participants in early January 2015. The program was
created as a way to provide area seniors, family members, caregivers and
professional health care providers with flexibility to meet consumers’ health
needs and continue living in the community.
“The PACE model is the day center, where
participants receive therapy, medical care and social services,” said PACE Director
Susan
Waschevski. “PACE also supports caregivers with training, support groups and
respite care to help families keep their loved ones in their homes and the
community.
An interdisciplinary team of caregivers and specialists, led by Nicolas
Priscu, MD, will design individualized plans of care for each PACE participant.
The team includes a registered nurse, social worker, dietitian, physical and
occupational therapists, activity coordinator and others.
“PACE provides a centralized location and a focused, coordinated care
approach,” Dr. Priscu said.
PACE provides all of the care and the services covered by Medicare and
Medicaid – as authorized by the team – as well as additionally medically
necessary care and services not covered by Medicare and Medicaid. The coverage
includes:
·
Prescription drugs
·
Physician care
·
Therapy
·
Transportation
·
Home care checkups
·
Hospital visits
·
Nursing home stays when necessary
Participation in PACE is voluntary and available to eligible people
across the financial spectrum. All Medicare-covered services are paid for
individuals who qualify for Medicare. Medicaid-covered participants will pay
nothing for the long-term portion of the PACE benefit.
In addition,
participants must meet Indiana eligibility requirements for nursing home care, are
able to live safely at home, must be 55
years or older and live within the Franciscan Senior Health & Wellness
Service area.
In advance of
the formal opening of the PACE facility, Franciscan St. Francis will host an
open house, Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. Visitors will be able to tour
the 11,000-square-foot and meet the staff.
