PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a health program designed to help frail seniors with chronic illnesses to continue living safely and successfully in their own home, versus having to move into a skilled nursing facility.

We do this by providing social and medical services at our St. Paul’s PACE locations and in the home of the senior.

Services include (but are not limited to) primary care doctors and medical specialists, medications and medication management, physical and occupational therapy, adult day program, home care (bathing, cleaning, shopping and meal preparation), and so much more. All services are provided as needed and are determined by our interdisciplinary team of medical professionals who’s total focus is the wellbeing of our PACE seniors.

The PACE program is a unique program of coordinated care that offers elderly adults and their caregivers an innovative choice in health care. For many, it is a welcome alternative to moving to a nursing home. With PACE support seniors with chronic health needs can remain at home with pride and dignity.

And please note, if a senior has Medi-Cal, or a combination of Medi-Cal and Medicare, PACE services are provided at no cost. Of course if a senior has a Medi-Cal share-of-cost, it is paid monthly to the PACE program.

Is PACE for YOU and your family?

As we get older, we all want the best care for ourselves or for our aging loved one, but getting that care can be frustrating. If you have an aging loved one, you know what it’s like to drive your loved one from appointment to appointment; to manage all of their medications; helping them with bathing and meals, and worrying about them when they are alone. If you are the senior needing to coordinate your own care, it is difficult with no transportation available, long waits at doctors’ offices and no help with home care or personal needs. There are just too many hurdles.

St. Paul’s PACE is a different kind of care

Thousands of families across America have found a different and better kind of care for their aging loved ones – PACE. And what these PACE families have experienced is a program that provides and coordinates all the types of care you or your loved one need. Nursing home placement is no longer needed because PACE provides everything necessary to keep seniors at home.

PACE was created as a way to provide you, your family, caregivers, and professional health care providers the flexibility to meet your health care needs and to help you continue living at home and in the community.

An interdisciplinary team of professionals will provide all of the coordinated care you need. These professionals are also experts in working with older people. They will work together with you and your family (if appropriate) to develop your most effective plan of care. Meals, physical therapy, home care, medication management... The services at PACE are customized just for you! A partial San Diego nursing home alternative that should be considered.

PACE Model Of Care

Your St. Paul’s PACE Interdisciplinary Care team is composed of a primary care physician, center manager, registered nurses, physical, occupational and recreational therapists, social worker, dietitian, your home care geriatric aide, PACE Center aides, and transportation representative.

As needed, your care team mobilizes other services including medical specialists, laboratory and other diagnostic tests, hospital and nursing home care. When you first join St. Paul’s PACE, you will receive an in-depth assessment from your entire PACE care team members (Also known as the Interdisciplinary Team or IDT). These assessments will be made every six months or when there is a change of condition or a request for services. You and your caregiver(s) will continue to play an important role in managing your health and independence.

The PACE program was originally developed in the 1970’s in San Francisco. The results were so positive that funding was provided so this model of care and services could be duplicated nationwide. There are now over 100 PACE sites throughout the States. St. Paul’s PACE program is the only program of its kind in San Diego and is funded by Medi-Cal and Medicare, or private pay .