North County Seniors Gather to Celebrate National PACE Month

St. Paul’s PACE and Gary and Mary West PACE host first-ever ‘PACE in the Park’ event to foster engagement and connection for seniors

San Diego, Calif. (Sept. 5, 2023) – In honor of National PACE Month, leaders from St. Paul’s PACE and Gary and Mary West PACE hosted the first-ever “PACE in the Park,” an end-of-summer social gathering for PACE participants in North County. Seniors from both programs came together at Oakcrest Park in Encinitas to connect and celebrate how PACE has kept them active and independent. The event promoted unity among programs and was an official kick-off for National PACE Month in September.

PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a nationwide model that provides compassionate, comprehensive healthcare and social services to adults over 55 with multiple chronic conditions qualifying them for skilled nursing-level care. By addressing participants’ physical, emotional, and social needs, PACE helps seniors maintain their independence and age successfully in their own homes.

September is National PACE Month

The theme for this year’s National PACE Month celebration set by the National PACE Association is “PACE: Where You Belong.” “PACE in the Park” fostered a sense of belonging among PACE participants through activities designed to spark movement, creativity, and new friendships.

“We’ve never done something like this before,” said Jennifer Romero, Marketing Director for St. Paul’s PACE, referring to the first-ever joint event. “But what better way to celebrate National PACE Month than by bringing our seniors together?

“Seeing our participants revel in the day’s festivities and forge deeper bonds reminds us of the incredible impact we can create together,” said Mary Jurgensen, Community Engagement Director, West PACE. “We’re immensely grateful for this collaboration and the shared commitment that made this celebration possible.”

St. Paul’s PACE and Gary and Mary West PACE are two of the leading PACE programs in San Diego County. Both will be hosting activities throughout September to celebrate National PACE Month, and all are welcome to participate.

To learn more about St. Paul’s PACE, visit www.stpaulspace.org or call 1-833-PACE NOW. To learn more about Gary and Mary West PACE or to schedule a tour, visit www.westpace.org or call 760-280-2230. Link to publication on National PACE Association website.

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St. Paul’s Senior Services is a mission-driven San Diego non-profit and full service retirement provider, offering Independent, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing communities and a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). St. Paul’s PACE supports seniors so they can continue to live independently at home by providing in-home care, transportation, and personalized medical services. Seniors who are over 55 years of age, with chronic medical conditions that make it difficult to live at home, may qualify for services. For more information on St. Paul’s PACE, please visit www.StPaulsPACE.org or call 1(833) PACE NOW. Press contact: Nicole Antonacci, St. Paul’s Senior Services Communications Specialist, 619-239-6900.

Established with a grant from the Gary and Mary West Foundation, Gary and Mary West PACE in San Marcos provides compassionate, comprehensive healthcare and social services for older adults over 55 years old who live in North San Diego County and have multiple chronic conditions that qualify them to a skilled nursing level of care. Through a broad range of services, from medical care to social activities to transportation, West PACE helps older adults live as independently as possible in their own homes, avoiding the need for institutional care. To apply or learn more about eligibility, contact Gary and Mary West PACE at (760) 280-2230 or visit www.westpace.org. 

Photo credit: Nicole Antonacci