Understanding PACE
Complete care for older adults who want to stay at home, and how a safe home makes that possible.
What is PACE?
PACE stands for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It is a Medicare and Medicaid program that helps older adults who need a high level of care keep living at home instead of moving into a nursing facility.
A local PACE organization becomes the person's complete source of care. A team of doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, drivers, and aides works together on one care plan.
What PACE can cover
- Primary care and nursing
- Prescription medications
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Adult day center with activities and meals
- Home care and personal care help
- Medical equipment
- Transportation to the PACE center and appointments
- Hospital and specialist care when needed
Services are decided by the PACE care team based on each person's needs.
Who qualifies?
- Age 55 or older
- Lives in a PACE organization's service area
- Needs a nursing home level of care, as certified by the state
- Can live safely in the community when they join
Why home safety matters for PACE: Living safely at home is part of who qualifies for PACE and a big part of staying in the program. A safer home helps prevent falls, hospital stays, and moves to a nursing facility.
Good to know before enrolling
- Most people who have both Medicare and Medicaid pay nothing out of pocket. People with Medicare only may be able to join with a monthly premium.
- Once enrolled, all care comes through the PACE organization and its network of providers.
- Enrollment is voluntary, and a person can leave the program at any time.
- PACE centers serve specific ZIP codes, so check whether a center covers your address.
PACE in Tampa Bay
Several PACE organizations serve Hillsborough, Pasco, and Hernando counties. Service areas are set by ZIP code and can change, so contact the PACE organization directly to confirm your address is covered.
- National PACE Association program finder, searchable by state or ZIP code (opens in a new tab)
- InnovAge Florida PACE, Tampa center (opens in a new tab)
Home Safety Solutions is an independent service and is not affiliated with any PACE organization. Listing is for information only.
How Home Safety Solutions can help
Whether your loved one is thinking about PACE, is already enrolled, or is coming home from the hospital, a therapist-led look at the home can make the difference.
Thinking about PACE?
A Home Safety Visit or Right Home Assessment shows what needs to change so your loved one can live safely at home, and gives you a clear, prioritized list to share with the care team.
Coming home from the hospital?
Our Ready for Discharge assessment checks the home before discharge day so the transition is safer and smoother.
Need the right equipment?
An Assistive Technology Consultation with a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional helps match equipment to the person and the home.
For PACE organizations and care teams
Home Safety Solutions works alongside PACE interdisciplinary teams to support participants at home. Services available on a contract basis include:
- Therapist-led home safety assessments with photo reports and prioritized hazard lists
- Pre-discharge home readiness checks
- Assistive technology consultations by a RESNA ATP
- Remote caregiving and monitoring plans
- Storm readiness planning for frail participants
- Contractor consultation and verification that home modifications are completed correctly
Who you will work with
Led by Russ L'HommeDieu, DPT, ATP, a physical therapist with 35+ years of experience, including a long tenure as a VA Home Safety Coordinator.
Contact us about partneringNot the same as PACE home improvement financing
In Florida, "PACE" can also mean Property Assessed Clean Energy, a program that finances home improvements through property tax bills. It is completely separate from the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly described on this page. Home Safety Solutions does not offer or arrange PACE financing.
Home safety consultations are not a Medicare-covered service, so clients are charged directly.
Safer Homes. Brighter Tomorrows.