Bluegrass Care Navigators outlines PACE program that keeps eligible seniors at home

Bluegrass Care Navigators representatives on the Senior Minute segment described PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly — as a care model aimed at keeping eligible seniors at home rather than moving into nursing facilities.

"Once a participant joins our program, we're responsible for 100% of their care," said a BCN representative, describing services that include primary care, home health, physical and speech therapy, nutrition counseling, social work and transportation to appointments. The program operates an adult day center and coordinates community-based services, the speaker said.

Eligibility and coverage: BCN said PACE serves people aged 55 and older who meet a nursing-home level of care and live in the program area (Fayette, Jessamine, Anderson, Woodford and Franklin counties). Most participants are covered by Medicare and Medicaid; BCN said participants with Medicare and Medicaid generally pay no costs to enroll because BCN is reimbursed by those programs.

Why it matters: BCN officials said PACE is designed to reduce relocations to institutional care by wrapping services around participants in their homes and neighborhoods. Officials called it a "robust" program and said their local rollout is relatively new in Kentucky.

How to learn more: BCN asked prospective participants or family members to contact the program via its website or phone number for eligibility screening and enrollment help.

Speakers noted the program’s individual care planning and that caregivers sometimes use the adult-day services to regain daytime hours for work or rest. The representatives said BCN aims to reduce hospital and nursing-facility stays by proactively coordinating care.