LIFE PACE

Older Americans are increasingly choosing to “age in place,” staying in their own homes and avoiding the move to a nursing home or other care facility.

By Samantha Blue, Senior Director of LIFE PACE and LIFE's Adult Day Health

AARP reports that nearly 90% of adults age 50 and over want to stay in their own home as long as possible. By 2021, the U.S. is projected to have over 55 million seniors (age 65 and over), according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 2040, that number is expected to jump to almost 80 million.

Today, most of the care provided to older adults comes from family members or friends. An estimated 34 million family caregivers help their loved ones continue living at home. Care can include providing assistance with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, eating and help with medications. Because most of the care is provided in the recipient’s home, caregivers often assist with tasks around the house as well, such as housekeeping, laundry or heavier chores, like mowing the yard or moving furniture.

Family caregivers often struggle to find the balance between work, home and caregiving. Adding to the struggle is the possibility of their loved one having dementia or Alzheimer’s and requiring constant supervision. It can feel overwhelming and puts the caregiver at risk for developing health issues of their own including caregiver burnout and fatigue. Fortunately, there are alternatives to nursing homes and assisted living facilities that support caregivers while enabling their loved one to continue living at home.

LIFE PACE – A Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly – is an alternative to nursing home care. LIFE PACE is the kind of personalized medicine doctors were able to offer in the past, with all of the convenience and support available today. This makes it unique from every other long-term care option.

LIFE PACE participants are cared for in their homes and at the LIFE PACE Center by a primary care physician and a team of medical experts. Since the patient load is smaller, the LIFE PACE doctor is able to invest the time it takes to get to know each individual and their overall health data and health needs. The most effective treatment unfolds in this context of preventative wellness, rather than a narrow consideration of symptoms alone. Services in individual care plans may include: specialty care, transportation to medical appointments, medication coverage, physical, occupational, and speech therapies, social work, in-home support and dietary counseling. Adult day health provides socialization, nutritious meals, activities and respite for caregivers.

LIFE PACE serves those who are 55 or older, live in the eligible service area, meet a certain level of care as determined by a registered nurse and are able to live safely in their home with PACE services.