Recently, I received a call from someone who was discharged from nursing home. He needed some assistance at home and was interested in having a home health aid a few times a week. After doing a needs assessment to explore the types of benefits long term care services offered, and reviewing all his wants and needs, it was clear he required a greater level of care at home.
Before being discharged from the Nursing Home, he was introduced to the Centerlight PACE program by the dispatching nurse that wasn’t just the typical MLTCP plan, and he wanted to learn more about the benefits of that particular Long Term Care Plan and how it could suit him better.
In times when seniors get released from rehab facilities or nursing homes where they are receiving greater level of care, getting adjusted in the home environment can be complicated if the list of services offered by MLTCP plans don’t provide a similar level of care.
In a nursing home setting, members receive help with:
- Taking their medications
- Get a room and board
- Receive assistance with daily living and personal care such as dressing, bathing, and toilet assistance
- Nurse Care available 24 hours
- Restorative Rehabilitation services
- Speech-language pathology services
- Social and recreational activities and more
In a home setting, not all services can be offered by a regular managed long term care plan, but a greater level of service can be offered by a PACE program administered by a Long Term Care Plan.
So how can a PACE program be ideal for seniors recently dispatched from a rehab center?
PACE programs offer all-inclusive care for seniors, and are not limited to all Medicaid and Medicare covered services. PACE offers a proven high quality alternative to nursing home or assisted living placement.
Here are some highlights about the PACE:
- All service are coordinated under one organization and under one umbrella, and available for people who are 55 years or older.
- Certain PACE plan offer over the counter monthly benefits, regardless if the member has Medicare or not.
- Social services, social work counseling, support groups, and respite care are provided
- At home physical therapy, wound care, palliative care
- On-site physician and medical supervision or House Calls.
- Home visits by Occupational Therapists, Recreational therapist, activity coordinator
- Therapeutic home modifications to accommodate ones special needs. Rehab and durable medical equipment such as Wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen, hospital bed, diabetic testing supplies and more.
- Transportation Coordinator and drive. Transportation is not limited to only medically related appointments. Transportation to medical appointments, or community centers or spiritual worship centers and more.
- The program is specialized to provide nursing home level of care
- Support for family care givers
- Meals and recreational activities at participating and Medicare Approved PACE Adult Day Centers.
- Greater Dental services, Denture Coverage, Audiology, Optometry, and Podiatry services
Not all Managed Long Term Care plans in New York City and the surrounding Metropolitan Areas offer a PACE Program, but the PACE program offered by Centerlight Health Care, and the bundle of services this Long Term Care provider has to offer was truly ideal for the senior who was recently dispatched from the nursing home. After further research, their program offers some great multi media explaining how their program works and the comprehensive nursing home level of assistance they provide.
Here are some recommended videos posted on their channel:
To sum things up, the PACE program is ideal for people who are discharged from a rehab facility or nursing home, offers a proven high quality alternative to nursing home or assisted living placement, and provide a comprehensive level of care, coordinated by a team of professionals who ensure your needs are met in the home setting.
Add Comment