PACE of the Triad offers nursing home alternative

PACE of the Triad is offering an alternative to nursing home care to Rockingham County residents age 55 and older with medical needs.

PACE stands for Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, which is exactly what the organization has to offer.

PACE is for those who need nursing care due to medical conditions but want to remain at home. PACE offers an 18,000-square-foot health and human service facility in northeastern Greensboro, which is a non-residential facility and an adult daycare. PACE also offers transportation to its facility from Rockingham County.

Eden resident Nancy Raines is one of PACE’s patients from Rockingham County and says the best part of her time at PACE is the car ride she takes with another resident from the county. Raines said she could see the difference PACE has made in her life and so has her husband Harold.

Harold Raines said his wife stayed in bed most of the time due to having a condition affecting diabetics in which she can’t walk and has no feelings in her back or legs.

Harold Raines said before he heard of PACE he had trouble getting Nancy to the doctor’s office and he could no longer handle it. Through social services, the Raines found out about PACE of the Triad.

“It’s been a big help to her,” Harold said.

PACE executive director Ursula Robinson said the facility offers physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapists and a dietician. It also provides all-inclusive medical needs including a physician who is on call 24-7 in case of an emergency at home. Medications, nurses, CNAs, social workers, therapists and transportation are included in the costs.

PACE doctor Robert Koehler, who recently spoke to the Reidsville Rotary Club about the program said most patients have complex medical conditions and being able to see his patients often and for more than 15 minutes allows him to make recommendations and care for the patients in effective ways.

“PACE has one of the best doctors and nursing staff in the world,” Harold Raines said. “Everyone is friendly and nice. I’d recommend it to everyone.”

PACE’s patients are able to receive the care through Medicaid or Medicare. Occasionally there are some out-of-pocket expenses for the patient, though Koehler said this is rare.

Nancy Raines said PACE has given her strength in her arms and legs again and she has a better outlook on life. Her husband said she is just like she used to be since visiting PACE and getting her medical needs addressed.

“It’s worth being there with all their medical help, and the way they treat you is top-notch,” Nancy said.

To find out more information in PACE of the Triad, visit www.PACETriad.org.