[This article was written by Michelle Mazzacco, Executive Director, Eddy SeniorCare PACE.]
As the COVID pandemic continues to impact our communities, many members of the senior population have remained sheltered at home to reduce their exposure and maintain social distancing. But as the months wear on, the feelings of isolation that some seniors may have been experiencing have only continued to grow.
Loneliness, if left unchecked, can lead to depression or dangerous situations where seniors stop eating or taking care of themselves. Fortunately, there are programs in our area that can help keep seniors engaged and safe, even during these unprecedented times.
Eddy SeniorCare’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a unique, integrated medical and long-term health management program that makes it possible for individuals who are frail and meet nursing home eligibility criteria to live independently and safely in their own homes. By design, the PACE program delivers critical medical and social supportive services to seniors with chronic health conditions right in their community.
Participants in the program receive all their health care from PACE staff and contracted network providers. The PACE program provides all Medicaid- and Medicare-covered benefits such as adult day care, physician, nursing, rehabilitation, social work, transportation, meals, personal care and coverage for medical specialists, inpatient hospitalization, and if necessary, nursing home care.
To qualify for PACE, individuals must:
- Have multiple chronic medical problems
- Be 55 years old or older
- Meet nursing home eligibility criteria for more than 120 days
- Want to remain in their home
- Be Medicaid and/or Medicare eligible or private pay
- Live in the program service area
Earlier this week, Eddy SeniorCare opened its doors at 1938 Curry Road in Rotterdam, NY 12303, making it the new home of its Schenectady PACE Center. The new, larger location will allow Eddy SeniorCare to increase the number of seniors and families served, as well as expand and improve the services provided.
The space features more than 2,500 square feet of handicap-accessible outdoor space, which will allow for expanded activities programming. The new site also offers office space for Eddy SeniorCare’s team of primary care physicians, and on-site specialty care providers including podiatry, optometry, and dental services. Ample, convenient parking is provided adjacent to the building.
While the Day Center remains closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the offices and clinic at the new location are open. Throughout the pandemic, Eddy SeniorCare has continued to provide critical services including nursing, social work, therapies, home care, and transportation. Rather than in-person programming, activities and recreational therapy now feature weekly mailings, as well as twice-daily phone conference activities such as BINGO.
Eddy SeniorCare is the Capital Region’s only PACE, bringing together under one roof a wide array of medical care, home health care, therapy, day programs, and other support services. Eddy SeniorCare operates an additional PACE center in Latham.
For information, please call 855-376-7888 or visit EddySeniorCare.com.
