Social Security & Medicare Q&A: What can I affordably do to have my husband cared for, but not be separated from him?

Q: My husband has high blood pressure, a heart condition, and was recently diagnosed with dementia.  I have taken care of him at home for years, but it’s becoming more difficult as I have also developed health problems.  We have no savings, just Social Security.  I don’t want to be separated by putting him in a nursing home.  Is there anything I can do?

A: An alternative to nursing home care that you may wish to investigate is PACE, the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly.  PACE programs, according to Consumer Reports health editor, Trudy Lieberman, are “some of the best chronic care programs this country offers.” 

The program is designed for frail seniors certified as ready for the type of care they would receive in a nursing home.  Participants receive a comprehensive package of acute and long-term care and social services that can be provided at an adult day care center, personal home, or inpatient facility.  PACE allows most patients to continue living at home while receiving services, rather than be institutionalized. 

 PACE participants get:

• All Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, and all Medicaid benefits
• Adult day care services, including activities and meals.  Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Therapy and rehabilitation services
• Transportation
• Emergency care
• Home modifications

PACE is an optional benefit under both Medicare and Medicaid.  The program pays a fixed monthly fee to cover all the services a patient receives.  If you and your husband qualify for Medicaid, he will automatically qualify for PACE and you will pay nothing for the services he receives.  If you would otherwise pay out-of-pocket for nursing home or home care, your husband still may be eligible to join a PACE program and you would pay a portion of the costs.  His costs in a PACE program are likely to be far less than if you were to struggle to put together your own package of services.

The biggest drawback is that the program is very limited geographically, serving only 25 sites in 14 states.  PACE programs represent an innovation in care that reduce long-term care costs and prolong the lives of participants with better health care.  There is a clear need for more of such programs and Congress should be pressed to expand them. 

For more information on PACE and PACE sites write to: National PACE Association, 801 N. Fairfax Street, Suite #309, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-535-1565, or online at http://www.npaonline.org, or contact your local Area Agency on Aging.

June 2003

Legal Statement  |  Contact Us
Copyright © 2007 The Senior Citizens League  |  703-548-5568  |  909 N. Washington St. #300, Alexandria, VA 22314
All Rights Reserved