How Providence ElderPlace Supports a Better Work-Life Balance for Care Home Providers

4/25/2022

By guest author Tory Thompson with Providence ElderPlace.

What is Providence ElderPlace PACE, and what is the PACE program?

Providence ElderPlace is part of the national PACE: Program of All-inclusive Care for Elders. PACE is both a health insurance and the health care provider. We serve seniors 55 and over who are Medicaid Long-Term Care services eligible (or who want to pay privately).

Services go beyond traditional health insurance. For example, ElderPlace PACE includes specialty care, behavioral health care, dental, vision, hearing, and foot care. All of a person’s medications, medical supplies and medical equipment, labs, physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapy are included. PACE insurance has no premium, co-pay or deductible for the senior.

How does ElderPlace support residents living in adult care homes?

This is done in a variety of ways. First, ElderPlace PACE provides transportation with PACE vans and consistent drivers to all of the resident’s medical appointments. Having a consistent driver allows the driver to learn each resident's preferences and needs. The drivers are considered an important part of the participant's care team. Alternately, virtual visits are available, as well as home visits by a community care licensed nurse.

Next, our medical teams specialize in geriatric care, and the residents can also receive palliative care for chronic conditions all the way through the end of their life. In addition, we have master's-level social workers, behavioral health experts and chaplains to support all aspects of a resident's health.

It is also important to note: residents on ElderPlace PACE do not have to pay into the state and can keep more personal money each month.

What are some of the key ways ElderPlace supports the adult care home providers to help them maintain a better work-life balance?

Services are at your fingertips: one phone call, one delivery source
Coordination and Delivery of Supplies: all medications, supplies and equipment are coordinated by ElderPlace PACE and delivered to your home
RN delegation: delegation by ElderPlace PACE RN to you and your caregivers
Appointment Coordination: PACE schedules all appointments, transportation and labs
Staff is available 24/7
Dedicated Customer Support: you have a customer service specialist to answer questions on things such as statements, billing and payments
Vacancy Reporting: providers are encouraged to report their vacancies weekly through email in order to get free referrals from PACE

"ElderPlace helps me manage my residents’ care needs, so I have more time for my family."

What are other adult care home providers saying about working with ElderPlace?

Providence Elderplace has a long-standing, 30+ year relationship with adult foster care home providers. Some of the feedback we’ve received speaks to how the program can truly be life-changing.

Here is some of the feedback we received from providers:

“Staff are fast in responding to issues and supplies come on schedule.”

“When my residents need more care, ElderPlace works with me to keep them at home and out of the emergency room.”

“With ElderPlace I feel like I have a team of professionals backing me up.”

“ElderPlace helps me manage my residents’ care needs, so I have more time for my family.”

How do care home providers connect with ElderPlace?

The Providence ElderPlace PACE service area is Multnomah County, parts of Clackamas county, Washington County, Clatsop and Tillamook counties.

To learn about contracting with ElderPlace please call: 503-215-6556.
To refer a resident for ElderPlace PACE services call: 503-215-6556.
To report a vacancy and get free referrals, send a weekly email to: VacancyForPACE@providence.org