A Guide for Families:
Helping Loved Ones with Alzheimer’s Stay Home with PACE
When someone in your family has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of memory loss, deciding where they will live can be very hard. Most people, especially those with memory problems, feel safest and happiest in their own home.
The PACE program, which stands for the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, is a resource that can help people with Alzheimer's stay right where they are, instead of having to move to a nursing facility.
Even though many people have not heard of PACE, these programs are available in Florida and offer huge benefits. Here are the main ways PACE helps people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.
1. Helping Seniors Stay Safe at Home
Change can be very confusing and upsetting for someone living with Alzheimer's. Staying in a familiar house helps them feel safe and calm.
PACE programs work to make sure that a senior who needs a lot of care can keep living at home or in an assisted living community. To join the program, the person must be:
- Age 55 or older.
- Living in a service area where a PACE center is located.
- Medically approved as needing a nursing home level of care.
- Able to live safely in the community with the support that PACE provides.
Many people living with Alzheimer's meet these requirements, making PACE a great way to keep them at home for as long as possible.
2. Giving Complete Care and Support
When someone joins a PACE program, they get a wide variety of medical and social help, all in one place. These services are key for managing a disease like Alzheimer's:
- Medical Care: This includes visits with a primary care doctor, hospital care, lab tests, and other procedures.
- Daytime Activities: Seniors can go to an Adult Day Care center. This gives them a safe place for activities and social time, which helps their well-being.
- Support Services: They also receive personal services, like help with bathing and dressing (home care), social work, and special therapies.
This complete mix of services—medical, social, and supportive—allows the person with Alzheimer’s to live as fully and independently as they can for many years.
3. Making Life Easier for Family Caregivers
Taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s is a big, daily job. It can be a heavy weight on family members. PACE programs are set up to help lift that weight.
The services provided by PACE take some of the important tasks off the caregiver's shoulders. These services can include:
- Delivering meals to the home.
- Providing personal care in the home.
- Offering fun, helpful recreational activities.
- Arranging transportation to and from appointments.
By managing these services, PACE gives caregivers more time to relax, take care of their own needs, or just spend quality time with their loved one without the stress of managing all the care themselves. If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's, reaching out to a local PACE provider in Florida could bring much-needed help and support.