Life Coordinated outlines Commonwealth PACE services for Marshall County seniors

Keith Travis, a representative of Life Coordinated, told the Marshall County Fiscal Court on Aug. 17 that the program’s mission is “to help seniors live a longer, more productive life in their home.” He described Commonwealth PACE (Providing All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) as an accredited program that serves residents 55 and older in six counties, including Marshall, and said the Marshall County facility has about 50 members now and room for hundreds more.

Travis summarized the program’s services: transportation five days a week, breakfast and lunch at the center, an activities director, on-site occupational and physical therapy, an on-site nurse practitioner five days a week and, starting in November, an internal-medicine doctor available five days a week. He said the program also maintains a pharmacy system and will help with in-home supports such as shower assistance and laundry. “This costs you absolutely nothing as a senior,” he said, explaining that Medicare/Medicaid capitation payments fund the program and the state realizes savings under the arrangement.

Travis cited administrative safeguards: quarterly audits, stop-loss insurance and state approval processes. He referenced evidence that PACE members have better outcomes: he told the court an article from the national conference showed “members of Life Coordinated have a longer life expectancy and fewer admissions” than those in non-integrated care models. He also said the program is expanding, with new rural facilities planned in Winchester and Springfield, Kentucky, and invited court members and community representatives to tour the Benton facility.

The presentation included operational examples: Travis said staff performed daily wellness checks on members during a recent snowstorm and that the program partners with local providers — naming Marshall County Hospital and Baptist Health as network partners. He provided a center contact and phone number: “855 209 5451.” The judge and other officials responded positively and encouraged outreach to churches and other local referral sources.

Next steps: Travis encouraged the court and community organizations to refer potentially eligible seniors and to schedule tours so officials can view the facility’s operations and capacity.