The PACE model: description and impressions of a capitated model of long-term care for the elderly

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is an innovative model of comprehensive long-term medical and social services. The system receives monthly capitation payments from Medicare and Medicaid for clients who are nursing-home eligible. PACE was developed originally by On Lok Senior Health Services in San Francisco's Chinatown in the late 1970s. PACE is based upon the concept of maintaining the independence, autonomy and dignity of frail and disabled elders nearing the end of life (Sapir, 1996). The program's underlying principle is to keep participants (PACE program enrollees) in the community for as long as it remains medically, socially, and economically feasible (Shen and Iverson, 1992). There is also a strong intention to preserve and support the older adult's family unit.