PACE health care program starts operation
By Lynn Zerschling, Journal staff writer | Posted: Thursday, September 04, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- Starting this week, older Siouxlanders in fragile health have access to a new program aimed at helping them remain in their own homes.
The program is the first of its kind in Iowa and one of a handful serving people in rural areas, Sally Smith, program manager, said. The program, operated by Hospice of Siouxland, is called Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE.
The program got its first five clients Tuesday in the remodeled Hy-Vee grocery store at 313 Cook St. that now houses the Siouxland Center for Active Generations.The two agencies will share some services.
"The beauty of the program is that once enrolled, you have all of the services available to the participant, but you take away some of the rules," Linda Todd, hospice executive director, explained. "You can provide support for a longer period of time -- to the end of life and not the six-month process that you have with hospice."
In order to qualify, people must be 55 or older and be state certified as eligible for nursing home care. The participants' bills most often will be picked up by Medicare or Medicaid.
Participants attend adult day care at the senior center building, participating in a variety of recreational, social and therapeutic activities.
"Most people want to age in place," Smith explained. "What is provided is determined by what the family needs, and the decisions of the interdisciplinary team determines what is best for their care."
For instance, to provide hygiene care, "We have showers here so they could receive bathing services," she noted. "We have a clinic with a physician and nurse practitioner on site. They still would maintain their own primary care provider."
Occupational and physical therapy is available. A licensed dietitian advises participants on healthful meal choices. Lunches will be catered by Central Catering. Medical equipment and health care supplies will be available, as will prescription drugs.
PACE has contracted with Siouxland Paramedics to transport clients to the Cook Street building and home again. For those who live in six Northwest Iowa counties, whether Siouxland Paramedics drives then to Sioux City will depend upon how long "people feel comfortable riding in the van both ways," she said. Smith expects most people would not want to ride more than a half-hour one way.
For those who live outside Sioux City, Smith said, PACE will provide some in-home care and is contracting with other agencies to allow PACE to use their adult day care centers.
The staff of 15 projects it will assist 55 to 60 people during the first year of operation. In five years, Smith estimated, PACE could help as many as 200 people in the six-county region.
PACE received a $500,000 federal grant and a $92,000 grant from the Retirement Outreach Foundation of Chicago, primarily because the program will serve people living in rural areas. The Siouxland Foundation gave $12,000 to plant a therapeutic garden.
"Planting that garden has been a collaborative effort with the Morning Cosmopolitan Club and the Master Gardeners," Smith said. "We will do final plantings in mid-September. We've got a lot of assistance from Mosher's Greenhouse."
The garden, which runs around the front and side of the building, includes a sidewalk, patio furniture, benches and a water feature. Senior center visitors may use the garden.
No tax dollars will be used to support the program.
About PACE
For whom:Those 55 and older who are in frail health and live independently.
Who's covered: Residents of Cherokee, Ida, Monona, Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury counties in Iowa.
Referrals: Primary care doctor must fill out certification form, which then must be approved by the state to determine if the patient meets the PACE criteria for service.
Where: Siouxland Center for Active Generations building, 313 Cook St., Sioux City. In surrounding counties, PACE will contract with agencies that provide adult day care services.
Hours: In Sioux City, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Transportation: Siouxland Paramedics will pick up participants who live within an hour's drive of Sioux City and take them home.
The program is the first of its kind in Iowa and one of a handful serving people in rural areas, Sally Smith, program manager, said. The program, operated by Hospice of Siouxland, is called Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE.
The program got its first five clients Tuesday in the remodeled Hy-Vee grocery store at 313 Cook St. that now houses the Siouxland Center for Active Generations.The two agencies will share some services.
"The beauty of the program is that once enrolled, you have all of the services available to the participant, but you take away some of the rules," Linda Todd, hospice executive director, explained. "You can provide support for a longer period of time -- to the end of life and not the six-month process that you have with hospice."
In order to qualify, people must be 55 or older and be state certified as eligible for nursing home care. The participants' bills most often will be picked up by Medicare or Medicaid.
Participants attend adult day care at the senior center building, participating in a variety of recreational, social and therapeutic activities.
"Most people want to age in place," Smith explained. "What is provided is determined by what the family needs, and the decisions of the interdisciplinary team determines what is best for their care."
For instance, to provide hygiene care, "We have showers here so they could receive bathing services," she noted. "We have a clinic with a physician and nurse practitioner on site. They still would maintain their own primary care provider."
Occupational and physical therapy is available. A licensed dietitian advises participants on healthful meal choices. Lunches will be catered by Central Catering. Medical equipment and health care supplies will be available, as will prescription drugs.
PACE has contracted with Siouxland Paramedics to transport clients to the Cook Street building and home again. For those who live in six Northwest Iowa counties, whether Siouxland Paramedics drives then to Sioux City will depend upon how long "people feel comfortable riding in the van both ways," she said. Smith expects most people would not want to ride more than a half-hour one way.
For those who live outside Sioux City, Smith said, PACE will provide some in-home care and is contracting with other agencies to allow PACE to use their adult day care centers.
The staff of 15 projects it will assist 55 to 60 people during the first year of operation. In five years, Smith estimated, PACE could help as many as 200 people in the six-county region.
PACE received a $500,000 federal grant and a $92,000 grant from the Retirement Outreach Foundation of Chicago, primarily because the program will serve people living in rural areas. The Siouxland Foundation gave $12,000 to plant a therapeutic garden.
"Planting that garden has been a collaborative effort with the Morning Cosmopolitan Club and the Master Gardeners," Smith said. "We will do final plantings in mid-September. We've got a lot of assistance from Mosher's Greenhouse."
The garden, which runs around the front and side of the building, includes a sidewalk, patio furniture, benches and a water feature. Senior center visitors may use the garden.
No tax dollars will be used to support the program.
About PACE
For whom:Those 55 and older who are in frail health and live independently.
Who's covered: Residents of Cherokee, Ida, Monona, Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury counties in Iowa.
Referrals: Primary care doctor must fill out certification form, which then must be approved by the state to determine if the patient meets the PACE criteria for service.
Where: Siouxland Center for Active Generations building, 313 Cook St., Sioux City. In surrounding counties, PACE will contract with agencies that provide adult day care services.
Hours: In Sioux City, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Transportation: Siouxland Paramedics will pick up participants who live within an hour's drive of Sioux City and take them home.
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