An open house was held at the OSF PACE facility at 719 N. William Kumpf Blvd. Suite 300 in Peoria, on Thursday, June 20.

“OSF PACE will really help the people in the Tri-County area stay in their home and community,” says Nathan Pritzker, executive director of OSF PACE. “PACE is designed to make the care coordination and aging in place process easier. We walk alongside the individual, support them in their needs and journey, and help them stay independent longer and healthier.”

The program officially launched on June 1, welcoming the first participants into the program.

The OSF PACE location also houses OSF Senior World, which has provided adult day care services for older individuals and those who are disabled or cognitively impaired, since 1981. OSF Senior World adult day care services will continue to be offered both independently and as part of the OSF PACE program.

What is PACE?

PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid risk-based care program with set fees that offers comprehensive, team-based medical and social services for seniors through collaborating health care agencies. PACE has already been deployed in over 30 other states prior to being introduced in Illinois.

The overarching goals of PACE are to improve the health and wellness of individuals at risk of having to be placed in a nursing home, while providing personalized solutions that improve outcomes, decrease disparities and are sustainable over time. The program offers all-inclusive support for older adults to age at home. PACE also brings relief to the growing number of family caregivers meeting the daily health care and social needs of older adults.

Who is eligible?

“Anyone who is 55 years of age or older, a resident of our service area and meets nursing home eligibility criteria can enroll in OSF PACE,” Pritzker says.

To learn more about PACE, you can get started by calling (833) 401-1679. In addition, you can visit the OSF PACE website.

For more information on OSF PACE, head to the OSF Newsroom article here to learn more.

OSF PACE B-ROLL

After months of preparation, the state of Illinois and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have awarded OSF HealthCare a contract to be one of the first in the state to offer Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Enrollment for the program, known as OSF PACE, is currently underway with services officially beginning June 1.

“OSF PACE will really help the people in the Tri-County area stay in their home and community,” says Nathan Pritzker, executive director of OSF PACE. “No one wants to go into a nursing home, no one wants to have choppy and disjointed care for themselves, or their elderly loved one who is at risk of a nursing home placement. We make sure that an undesirable scenario doesn’t have to happen. We walk alongside the individual, support them in their needs and journey, and help them stay independent longer and healthier.”

OSF PACE offices and services will be located at 719 N. William Kumpf Blvd., Ste. #300, in downtown Peoria. The location also houses OSF Senior World, which has provided adult day care services for older individuals, and those who are disabled or cognitively impaired since 1981. OSF Senior World adult day care services will continue to be offered both independently and as part of the OSF PACE program.

“OSF PACE really allows us to have a more expansive and global offering for individuals who enroll with us. We serve people where they are,” Pritzker says. “We meet people in their homes and in the community and follow alongside them throughout their whole journey and walk of life.”

What is PACE?

PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid risk-based care program with set fees that offers comprehensive, team-based medical and social services for seniors through collaborating health care agencies. PACE has already been deployed in over 30 other states prior to being introduced in Illinois.

The overarching goals of PACE are to improve the health and wellness of individuals at risk of having to be placed in a nursing home, while providing personalized solutions that improve outcomes, decrease disparities and are sustainable over time. The program offers all-inclusive support for older adults to age at home. PACE also brings relief to the growing number of family caregivers meeting the health care and social needs of older adults every day.

Who is eligible?

“Anyone who is 55 years of age or older, a resident of our service area and meets nursing home eligibility criteria can enroll in OSF PACE,” Pritzker says.

To learn more about PACE, you can get started by calling (833) 401-1679. In addition, you can visit the OSF PACE website.

Video Interview Clips

The landscape of health care available for older adults in Illinois is evolving.  

OSF HealthCare is in the application process to partner with the State of Illinois to improve access to home-based, high-quality, comprehensive care for people served by Medicare and Medicaid. These services will provide expanded care for those living in under-resourced communities in the Greater Peoria area.

With an expected date of mid-2024 to begin the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), OSF HealthCare remains committed to serve elderly patients with the greatest care and love.

One way OSF HealthCare serves the older population in the Greater Peoria area is through OSF Senior World. Located in downtown Peoria, OSF Senior World has provided care for the frail elderly, disabled and cognitively impaired since 1981.

“Coming to Senior World prevents social isolation. Participants are able to get out, make friends and they become our family,” says Susie Smith, OSF Senior World Manager.

OSF Senior World provides meals and is staffed with nurses, activity and social services coordinators and certified nursing assistants. On-site nurses can help getting the required physician referral needed to receive Senior World services. Nurses also provide medication management, check vital signs, and monitor weight and mobility issues. Smith says the social service team coordinates transportation for participants.

“Transportation is a big need. A lot of these folks have a hard time getting around, especially if their caregivers are working,” Smith says.

Dawn Lemmert, MD, director of Home Care for OSF HealthCare, says PACE will improve the health care infrastructure throughout central Illinois.

“PACE is not only the provider of care, but the insurance for the frail elderly,” Dr. Lemmert says. “PACE really works to keep the frail elderly in their homes as long it’s safe with the support of PACE, including those wraparound services.”

Dr. Lemmert says it’s easier for older adults to access services when they’re all under one roof.

Nathan Pritzker, director of PACE operations and strategy for OSF HealthCare, agrees. He adds PACE will expand services that will be available around the clock for individuals.

“PACE brings different providers into a team so that people are working together, in real-time, 24/7, to meet the goals you have for life,” Pritzker says.

The area Agency on Aging can help people determine eligibility for Senior World and your payment options, Pritzker says.

While it is expected that OSF Senior World is set to transition to services offered under PACE by next summer, Pritzker says the way to enroll will largely remain the same.

What is PACE?

PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid risk-based care program with set fees that offers comprehensive, team-based medical and social services for seniors through collaborating health care agencies. PACE has already been deployed in over 30 other states. It is now being introduced in Illinois.

The overarching goals of PACE are to improve the health and wellness of individuals at risk of having to be placed in a nursing home, while providing personalized solutions that improve outcomes, decrease disparities and are sustainable over time. The program offers all-inclusive support for older adults to age at home. PACE also brings relief to the growing number of family caregivers meeting the health care and social needs of older adults every day.

Program features high engagement

The program will include at-home care while also building on the Adult Day Center model that focuses on increasing social interaction opportunities through regular interaction with others and creating friendships to prevent social isolation and to strengthen communication skills.

Senior Vice President for OSF Innovation Becky Buchen adds, “We are confident and enthusiastic about exploring additional opportunities to leverage our growing experience in new care delivery models that allow patients to receive wraparound services and more holistic, robust care in their home. The new, innovative approaches will build on our decades-long history of providing Home Care, operating Adult Day Care Centers, plus deep experience with bringing team-based, complex care to elderly, frail residents.”

Several OSF services are being evaluated for inclusion including home health, nutritional counseling, social work, wound care, pain management, and various therapies.

OSF HealthCare has been an active participant with the state of Illinois on several innovative programs.

•  Last year, OSF and the state of Illinois signed a five year $60+ million-dollar contract to deliver care and services including maternal and women’s health to the Medicaid population.
•   During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, OSF partnered with the State to deliver a full continuum of digital health services including COVID-19 call centers, remote patient monitoring, digital pre-hospital care, and hospital at home services available for all ill and at-risk individuals within the state. 

Susie Smith video interview clips

Dr. Dawn Lemmert video interview clips

Nathan Pritzker video interview clips

OSF HealthCare, through its Innovation division, is excited to explore opportunities with the state of Illinois to improve access to home-based, high-quality, comprehensive care for individuals served by Medicare and Medicaid. Through this strategic collaboration, OSF HealthCare will provide access to expanded care for those living in under-resourced communities in the Greater Peoria area.

Research shows it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs and their families to be served in the community whenever possible. The notion that people are often healthier and happier at home was reinforced in a recent AARP study, which found three out of four people aged 50 and older want to age at home, not in a facility.

As OSF HealthCare continues its efforts to improve the lives of those it serves with this unique opportunity to care for Illinois residents ages 55 and older in their own homes and communities. As part of the state collaboration, OSF will develop and launch the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) for vulnerable older individuals in targeted Peoria-area neighborhoods. 

“As a Catholic health system, we are dedicated to living our Mission of serving with the greatest care and love and that includes caring for the most vulnerable,” says Ralph Velazquez, MD, OSF HealthCare chief medical officer. 

What is Pace?

PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid risk-based care program with set fees that offers comprehensive, team-based medical and social services for seniors through collaborating health care agencies. PACE has already been deployed across other states, including Michigan. It is now being introduced in Illinois.

The overarching goals of PACE are to improve the health and wellness of individuals at risk of having to be placed in a nursing home, while providing personalized solutions that improve outcomes, decrease disparities and are sustainable over time. The program offers all-inclusive support for older adults to age at home. PACE also brings relief to the growing number of family caregivers meeting the health care and social needs of older adults every day.

Program features high engagement

The program would include at-home care while also building on the Adult Day Center model that focuses on increasing social interaction opportunities through regular interaction with others, creating friendships to prevent social isolation and to strengthen communication skills.

Senior Vice President for OSF Innovation Becky Buchen adds, “We are confident and enthusiastic about exploring additional opportunities to leverage our growing experience in new care delivery models that allow patients to receive wrap around services and more holistic, robust care in their home. The new, innovative approaches will build on our decades-long history of providing Home Care, operating Adult Day Care Centers, plus deep experience with bringing team-based, complex care to elderly, frail residents.”

Several OSF services are being evaluated for inclusion including home health, nutritional counseling, social work, wound care, pain management, and various therapies.

OSF HealthCare has been an active participant with the state of Illinois on several innovative programs.

•  Last year, OSF and the state of Illinois signed a five year $60+ million-dollar contract to deliver care and services including maternal and women’s health to the Medicaid population.
•   During the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, OSF partnered with the State to deliver a full continuum of digital health services including Covid-19 call centers, remote patient monitoring, digital pre-hospital care, and hospital at home services for all ill and at-risk individuals within the state.