Keeping the elderly out of nursing homes for cost reasons is a high priority and finding programs that help facilitate those goals are a high priority with lawmakers and consumers alike. A new study last month from the Journal of the American Medical Association, examined various models of the long term care that are different than traditional models of nursing or hospice care and found that Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) was one of the more cost effective, alternative models to traditional care. As part of the study, researchers reviewed primary care models for the elderly with multiple conditions over the past 10 years and identified the processes key to the success of cost effective, primary care that include:
- Development of a comprehensive patient assessment that includes a complete review of all medical, psychosocial, lifestyle and values issues
- Creation and implementation of an evidenced-based plan of care that address all of the patient’s health needs.
- Communication and coordination with all who provide care for the patient.
- Promotion of the patient’s engagement in their own health care.
“PACE organizations are proud of our success in keeping older adults with long term care needs living in the community,” said National PACE Association President and CEO Shawn Bloom. “This study helps to explain some of the reasons why PACE is able to help so many families who are challenged to find the best care possible for their older loved ones.”
PACE currently has 75 sponsors operating in 29 states and is funded through Medicare, Medicaid and private finances.
