What Is a PACE Program? A Guide for Seniors and Families

PACE Programs: An Alternative Worth Knowing

For families trying to keep a loved one at home while managing complex medical needs, PACE — the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly — is one of the most comprehensive options in the U.S. healthcare system, and one of the least known.

PACE is a federally recognized program that provides all the care and services a Medicare and Medicaid enrollee needs to stay safely in the community rather than moving to a nursing home.

How PACE Programs Work

PACE organizations provide care through adult day health centers, where participants come during the day for medical care, therapy, socialization, and meals. Transportation to and from the center is typically provided. An interdisciplinary team — including doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, and home care workers — coordinates every aspect of the participant's care under one organization.

This coordination means fewer fragmented services, fewer hospitalizations, and a more proactive approach to managing chronic conditions.

Who Qualifies for PACE?

To enroll in a PACE program, an individual must be 55 or older, live in a PACE program service area, be certified by the state as needing nursing home-level care, and be able to live safely in the community with PACE support at the time of enrollment. Most PACE participants are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, though individuals can enroll with Medicare only and pay a monthly premium for the Medicaid-covered portion.

What PACE Covers

PACE covers the full continuum of care, including primary and specialty medical care, hospital care, home care, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, social work services, nutrition counseling, prescription drugs, dental and vision care, and transportation. The goal is to manage all of these through one integrated program rather than requiring families to coordinate across multiple providers.

Finding a PACE Program Near You

PACE programs are not available in every area — coverage depends on where you live. The National PACE Association maintains a directory at npaonline.org. If PACE isn't available in your area, a YourPath senior living advisor can help identify other community-based care options that may support your loved one's goals to remain at home or transition to appropriate senior housing.