Special Guest Blog by Cross Country Healthcare, Presenting Sponsor of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Boca
If you are a person living with Alzheimer’s or the caregiver of a person living with Alzheimer’s, you may be wondering what your options are as far as where and how you can receive the care you need as you age. If you’re like most Americans, you probably prefer to age at home versus moving into an assisted living or other nursing facility. Resources such as PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) could help you do just that. However, a recent survey found that 80 percent of respondents had never heard of PACE and similar programs. Additionally, PACE programs are currently only available in 31 states. Fortunately for those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers in the state of Florida, these programs are available to them. Here are three ways PACE could benefit you or a loved one with Alzheimer’s:
PACE Helps Alzheimer’s Patients Remain in Their Homes as They Age
Change can be debilitating for people living with Alzheimer’s, so allowing them to stay in the home they know and feel safe in for as long as possible is crucial to their well-being. PACE programs can help people living with Alzheimer’s who might otherwise be required to live in a nursing home remain at their home or an assisted living facility. In order to qualify for PACE eligibility, the individual must be age 55 or older, live in a PACE service area, be at risk of institutionalization and be able to live safely in the community. Many people living with Alzheimer’s meet these requirements.
PACE Can Help Supplement the Care Alzheimer’s Patients Receive from Caregivers
When a person living with Alzheimer’s joins a PACE program in Florida, they become eligible to receive primary care, social, restorative, and supportive services within the program. Depending on the specific program and individual level of care needed, that may include acute care services, adult day care, home care, hospital care and end-of-life care services. They are also eligible to receive laboratory tests including x-rays and other diagnostic procedures. This unique blend of medical and social services support allows people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.
PACE Can Ease the Burden on Loved Ones Who Help Care for Them
Helping a loved one living with Alzheimer’s manage their day-to-day care activities can be unnecessarily burdensome on loved ones providing care if a PACE program is available in their local area. Services that can be provided by the PACE program can include home-delivered meals, recreational therapy, personal care, transportation and more. These services can be provided in the home, at a PACE center or at an assisted living facility, giving loved ones extra time to tend to their own needs or just more opportunities to relax. Wondering if there is a PACE provider near you? The State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs includes a list of PACE providers in Florida. Contact the one nearest you for more details on how to join the program.
Would you like to know how you compare to others when it comes to understanding home healthcare options available to seniors? Download our Aging in Place study for all the details.
About Cross Country Healthcare
Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCRN) is a market-leading workforce solutions tech-enabled talent platform and staffing, recruitment, and advisory firm with 36 years of industry experience and insight. We solve complex labor-related challenges for customers while providing high-quality outcomes and exceptional patient care. As a multi-year Best of Staffing® award winner, we are committed to an exceptionally high service to our clients and our homecare, education, and clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals. Our locum tenens line of business, Cross Country Locums, has been certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the leader in healthcare accreditation, since 2001. We are the first publicly traded staffing firm to obtain The Joint Commission Certification, which we still hold with a Letter of Distinction.
