I had the pleasure of attending the ribbon-cutting grand opening of the newest local adult day center, Buckeye PACE, located at the former Rite Aid building on Elm Road in Warren. They also are opening a new center on South Market Street in Youngstown in another former Rite Aid building.

We are fortunate to have other local adult day cares operated by Antonine Sisters, Easter Seals, Over the Rainbow and The Jewish Community Center’s Heritage Manor. The difference with the PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly — model coming into our Valley is that they are a unique single source provider of all-inclusive at-home and center care for eligible seniors.

Buckeye PACE serves as a provider of cohesive health care and social services, planning and delivery, so seniors no longer need to manage their day-to-day care on their own. Buckeye PACE’s team of personal care assistants, activity staff, homemaker care, dieticians, hot meals, transportation and spiritual support workers along with medical personnel provide the base of how each participant’s individualized care plan is administered.

For seniors who qualify, there is no charge for any drug service or care approved by the Buckeye PACE team. That means no deductibles, copayments or hidden costs, and they work with the participant’s existing doctors.

I am excited for the potential partnership between PACE and my parent organization’s federally-qualified health care center Valley Health, which opened a couple of months ago behind the Robins Theatre in Warren.

Valley Health provides services for primary medical and dental care, lab work and has an in-house pharmacy — with future plans for optometry and hearing services. Valley also has community health workers who go out to patients for home care — also a service PACE will provide with their personal care assistants.

With the concerns raised over the last few weeks by the Senior Services Council and our Trumbull County commissioners about in-home care and homemaker services, PACE’s opening is perfect timing. They will be able to possibly take up to 200 residents off the county waiting list.

Craig Worland, chief operating officer for One Senior Care, Buckeye PACE’s parent company, stated at the ribbon cutting, “PACE is all inclusive care for the elderly which is what the program was designed for. When I say it’s all-inclusive, it truly is everything. We serve seniors who qualify to live in long-term care but want to stay in their home and need those wraparound services.”

Transportation is something that the county is always concerned with, and PACE has a fleet of vans that go out and serve the elderly. They can travel to the adult day center or to other appointments — whether medical appointments, places of worship, senior centers, shopping, etc. Whatever the patient wants to do.

Some of the services available are a written care plan, 24/7 on call support, social activities, health center, social services, hearing aids, and medical equipment and supplies.

Another important aspect of Buckeye PACE is the respite services for caregivers and families. PACE offers a no cost in-home consultation by calling 800-469-0785.

The State of Ohio legislature and Governor Mike DeWine authorized $55 million for PACE centers statewide.

SCOPE — Senior Citizens Opportunity for Personal Endeavors — is proud to partner with the outstanding services from Buckeye PACE that so many of our elderly need.