BUSINESS PROFILE: Northland PACE
Northland PACE offers healthcare, transportation, socialization and more
By Carol Stender
Home.
It’s where people want to be with family and friends and attending activities, but aging can challenge that plan. Enter Northland PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) of Fargo.
“Our mission is to promote independence through the coordination of all health services, allowing participants to continue living with dignity at home for as long as safely possible,” said Kelly Brekke, Northland PACE outreach coordinator.
The program offers an all-inclusive approach to healthcare including management of medical appointments to assist with scheduling and transportation to medical appointments, socialization at the day center, and home health services as determined by assessment. Care can occur at the home or Northland PACE’s Day Center at 2731 12th Ave. South in Fargo.
PACE serves individuals at least 55 years old, eligible for nursing home level of care, who live within West Fargo, Horace and Fargo areas (see the eligible zip codes at end of the article) and who are able to live safely in the community with PACE supports at the time of enrollment.
The PACE team includes a medical director, primary care provider, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, a physical therapist and an occupational therapist, a social worker, home care coordinator, activities director, a dietitian, transportation, and a site director. The team meets every morning to discuss each participant’s needs and care.
Chantel Frappier, the PACE physical therapist, said the participants noted fewer emergency room visits as a result of PACE’s care.
Services are based on assessments and the needs of each participant. No two care plans are the same. Once the care plan is established, services provided by the care team in the home may include light housekeeping, laundry services, grocery shopping and medical assistance provided by its staff of certified nursing assistants.
As participants’ needs change, their car plan will change to meet those needs. If hospitalization or nursing home placement is required, Northland PACE continues to cover the cost of that care. The PACE care team continues to oversee the participant by visiting the participant and working with hospital or nursing home staff in an effort to work towards independence so that the participant can return to their home.
Transportation is provided to Northland PACE’s Day Center, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A variety of social activities from card and board games to movies and outings in the community are offered as well as a noon meal.
The center is well equipped to care for participants, whatever their needs involve. There is an exam room and a medical lab. The physical therapy department is fully equipped to meet the participant’s needs at home or the center. An occupational therapist can access needs to provide medical equipment whether it be a grab bar in a bathroom or hearing or walking aids, to name a few. The Day Center has three showers available with handicapped access. A quiet room is offered for those who may not feel well or need some time away from activity.
PACE’s model is unique, Brekke said. The PACE model of care originated in the early 1970s. The Chinatown-North Beach community of San Francisco saw the growing long-term care service needs for families whose elders had immigrated from Italy, China and the Philippines. Community leaders formed a non-profit organization, On Lok Senior Health Services, to create a community-based system of care.
The program has grown nationally to 33 states. There are now 177 PACE organizations and over 300 PACE sites, including four sites in North Dakota. Bismarck and Dickinson were the first in the state to start the program roughly 15 years ago, followed by Minot and, in 2020, Fargo.
Zip codes of those Fargo, West Fargo and Horace communities eligible for PACE are 58102, 58104, 58078 and 58047.
Contact Northland PACE of Fargo at (701) 412-2081 for more information.
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