PACE 

Kory Hansen introduced Deb Allen as our program presenter today. Deb is the Foundation Executive Director at the Grand Traverse Pavilions.

 

Deb discussed the opening of a PACE program near you! PACE stands for Program of All-inclusive Care for the elderly. The PACE program allows our seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living and healthcare services. These services allow for improved coordination of care and preventative care including mental and spiritual counseling services. With a focus on illness prevention, the program will save Medicare and Medicaid dollars along with unnecessary hospital visits.  The PACE program offers an alternative to skilled nursing care.

The demand for such services will escalate as the boomer generation ages, known as the “silver tsunami”.  Currently Michigan has one of the fastest growing silver tsunami populations in the country. In Michigan, we have a caregiver crisis and more deaths than births in our region. The PACE program will help address these needs.

The local PACE program will service seven surrounding counties. This does provide a transportation challenge due to the expansiveness of the area and being a rural population, but ongoing solutions are being sought out.

Medicare and Medicaid will pay for a portion of participants care, allowing for the sustainability of the program.  The PACE program in the Grand Traverse area is unique from others around the country in that is doesn’t have equity partners. A capital campaign has been raising funds for the purchase and improvements of the PACE home on Garfield along with funding the operations.

The PACE program has a projected opening of Spring 2019. Thanks to Kory and Deb for an awesome program that will hugely benefit our communities!