Celebrating National PACE Month: How St. Paul’s PACE is Transforming Seniors’ Lives

09/30/2024

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Happy National PACE Month! This month at St. Paul’s, we’re celebrating the incredible impact of our Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in our San Diego community and highlighting stories of participants who have inspired us here at St. Paul’s PACE.

If PACE is a new concept to you, or you’re wondering if you’re eligible, you’re in the right place!

What is PACE?

PACE is a comprehensive, nationwide healthcare program that helps low-income seniors with chronic conditions continue living independently while receiving the care they need. From medical care to social services, PACE offers a holistic approach to senior healthcare that caters to each participant’s individual needs.

One of PACE’s standout features is its one-stop-shop model for care. Seniors who qualify and become participants gain access to a spread of resources and services, including a personal team of doctors and specialists who work together to ensure they have everything they need to stay healthy and mobile at home.

Here’s an overview of what we offer at St. Paul’s PACE:

Primary Medical Care: We provide primary medical and specialty care, including dental, podiatric, and optometric services. Participants benefit from having access to a full range of healthcare professionals who specialize in geriatric care.
Home Care: This includes personal care, light housekeeping, and grocery shopping, which make daily living easier for participants who need this extra support. We also conduct assessments to determine what (if any) assistive devices may be necessary for managing health conditions and living safely at home.
Rehabilitation: Ongoing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to help participants regain and maintain strength, functionality, and mobility at home.
Behavioral Health Support: Participants gain access to psychiatrists and other behavioral health specialists to support their mental and emotional well-being as needed.
Dietary Guidance: Participants are assigned a personal dietician to monitor diet and provide nutrition counseling. Nutritious meals are also offered daily in our day centers.
Transportation: We provide door-to-door transportation to and from the PACE center and medical appointments for participants in need of this service.
Social Work: Access to a trained social worker for ongoing case management and support with paperwork, resource location, and navigating life’s challenges.
Spiritual Care: Onsite chaplain available for spiritual guidance and grief support.
Day Center Socialization: Activities, art, and exercise programs are provided to engage participants and promote social interaction. Seniors can make new friends, enjoy live entertainment, and have a meal before or after medical appointments in our day center.

In 2008, St. Paul’s Senior Services opened San Diego’s very first PACE program on Elm Street in Downtown San Diego. After beginning with just 14 participants, PACE Reasner has grown to help thousands of local seniors receive essential medical and social services, enabling them to live safely at home and thrive independently in their communities. Since then, we’ve also opened three additional PACE centers to serve San Diego seniors in Chula Vista (2012), El Cajon (2018), and Encinitas (2019).

This video will help you envision what it’s like to be a participant at St. Paul’s PACE:

Celebrating National PACE Month

Now that you’ve gotten a better feel for what PACE offers, you can imagine why it’s worth celebrating! September is National PACE month, a time when PACE programs nationwide join hands to recognize how millions of seniors have been able to maintain healthy, independent lifestyles thanks to the comprehensive healthcare they’ve received.

This year’s theme from the National PACE Association is “Simplify Your Life: At Your PACE,” which emphasizes how personalized care plans are tailored to meet each senior’s unique needs. At St. Paul’s PACE, we know that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to senior health, and that to truly make life easier for our participants, their care must be highly personalized. Because of this approach, our seniors often tell us how much PACE has improved their quality of life.

In honor of National PACE Month, we’re highlight five inspiring success stories of participants at St. Paul’s PACE.

Meet Dennis

Dennis is a shining example of how PACE gives seniors the tools they need to be successful in their homes and communities. Thanks to the comprehensive healthcare he received at PACE Chula Vista, Dennis regained his health and rediscovered his passion for painting. Today, he leads the ARTISToutREACH Team (ART), an initiative that uses art-based therapies to support people experiencing homelessness. Not only is Dennis making an impact in his local community, he is also empowered to pursue his own dreams of becoming a professional artist. Hear more about his remarkable journey in this video.

“PACE has allowed me to work with a dream that I really didn’t even know I had. By working with the [care] team I have, I’ve become healthy enough to do my art on my own schedule.”

Dennis was nominated for the ‘Outstanding Resident Leader Award’ at the San Diego Housing Federation’s 2024 Ruby Awards, San Diego’s largest affordable housing recognition event.

Meet Josefa

Josefa has been a St. Paul’s PACE participant at PACE El Cajon for five years. Despite undergoing knee surgery on both knees last year, she has been able to stay active and engaged, thanks to her physical therapy sessions and the meaningful activities facilitated in our day center. She especially enjoys going on group walks and socializing with fellow participants, both of which have significantly improved her quality of life. In this video, you’ll hear more about how much Josefa appreciates the supportive environment PACE provides.

“The doctors, nurses, and employees are magnificent. They have all the services I need here.”

Meet Robert

Robert joined PACE back in 2008 when St. Paul’s launched San Diego’s very first PACE program. Those who know Robert know how much he loves to sing and greet people kindly. Robert shared that before joining PACE, he felt uncared for and isolated for many years. But after 16 years as a participant, he feels more connected to his community and happier than ever, thanks to the lasting friendships and support he’s received at St. Paul’s PACE. Watch this video to witness the lasting impact PACE has had on Robert’s life.

“At 87 years old, I’m happier than I’ve ever been and have more friends now than I’ve ever had.”

Meet Maria

After years of moving between relatives’ homes, Maria found stability at Celadon, a St. Paul’s PACE supportive housing partner that offers affordable housing options for low income seniors. She credits St. Paul’s PACE for keeping her stable and healthy enough to pursue her hobbies of crafting, cooking, and baking for people experiencing homelessness. Her vibrant life and community involvement speak to how PACE has both enabled and empowered her to contribute to the lives of others.

“I thank St. Paul’s for everything.”

Meet Jim

After surviving a life-threatening stroke, Jim was struggling to get back on his feet again. It had been 30 years since Jim had seen a doctor, but he trusted our staff to help him regain his strength, mobility, and independence. To this day, Jim credits St. Paul’s PACE for giving him the courage to improve his health and believe in himself again. He worked closely with a dedicated team of specialists, including PACE provider Karen Lappas (GNP), who encouraged him to keep going every step of the way. Watch this video to hear more about Jim’s incredible health progress at St Paul’s PACE.

“These people here have done everything for me…They gave me a reason to live again. And now, I’m living again.”

How You Can Support St. Paul’s PACE

If any of these stories have touched and inspired you, now is the perfect time to turn that inspiration into action. In honor of National PACE Month, we hosted our annual St. Paul’s Essential Needs Drive (SPEND) in September. This initiative collects donations for our low-income PACE participants who struggle to afford items that are essential for daily living. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we received over 500 items, and the donations are still coming in! Everything we receive will be distributed to seniors in need at all St. Paul’s PACE locations.

Do you want to support seniors in need by contributing to SPEND? Donations of non-perishable food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, and new clothing are currently accepted. Check out our Amazon Wish List or visit StPaulSeniors.org/SPEND for more ways to give.

Thank you for celebrating National PACE Month with us and supporting our mission to enrich the lives of seniors in our San Diego community. Donate today and be part of their success stories!

About the Author

Nicole Antonacci is the Communications Specialist for St. Paul’s Senior Services. As a writer and photographer, she is passionate about amplifying senior voices and sharing their stories with the community. Through her writing, she aims to inspire seniors and their families to actively prioritize wellness.