Greensboro, N.C. – Lutheran Services Carolinas has joined PACE of the Triad as an equity partner member organization, replacing Advanced Home Care effective June 1, 2020. The change was announced by Ursula Robinson, PACE’s executive director. Participants who receive healthcare services from PACE of the Triad will not notice any change in leadership, staffing or operations, since member organizations primarily affect governance, growth, and strategic planning.
PACE of the Triad was formed in 2009 as a joint- venture between Advanced Home Care, Cone Health, Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro (now AuthoraCare Collective) and Well-Spring Services, Inc. The organization began serving participants in 2011, coordinating care for older adults covered by Medicare or Medicaid, so they can continue living in a home environment. The organization employs approximately 85 full-time clinical and administrative personnel in a service area that includes Guilford and Rockingham Counties. PACE currently provides care for over 200 participants in those counties.
PACE is an acronym for “Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.” The program primarily uses Medicare and Medicaid funding to provide medical care and support services so older adults otherwise eligible for nursing home care can continue living at home.
“This goal is achieved by providing each participant with ready access to a primary care provider, a care coordinator and other needed services including physical and occupational therapy, dental care, transportation to medical appointments, an adult day health program with activities and exercise, medications and so much more,” said Robinson.
“PACE is a unique program model that reduces dependence on hospital-based emergency departments for routine care and postpones the need for full-time care in a nursing home setting,” said Robinson. “The personalized care we provide allows us to monitor participants for changes in health status that — if left unattended — could lead to costly acute care episodes. This monitoring is especially helpful for individuals with one or more chronic conditions such as diabetes, dementia or heart disease.”
In North Carolina, there are currently 12 PACE programs serving 40 of the state’s 100 counties. In addition, 31 of the 50 states have PACE programs providing care for over 51,000 participants.
Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC), based in Salisbury, North Carolina, is a health and human services organization that operates eight senior care communities around the state and also offers child and family services in both North and South Carolina. LSC currently partners with PACE@Home in Hickory and Senior TLC in Gastonia.
“Teaming up with PACE of the Triad is a natural fit for Lutheran Services Carolinas because of our long history of serving North Carolina seniors,” said Ted Goins, president of Lutheran Services Carolinas. “We are excited about this opportunity to serve in the Greensboro area.”
To be eligible for PACE, a participant must be 55 or older, live in a PACE service area and be certified by the state as needing nursing home-level care. PACE services include not only home-based care but access to PACE centers with on-site medical care, therapy and a common area for social and recreational activities.
For more information about PACE of the Triad, visit www.pacetriad.org or call 336-550-4046.