DEAR EDITOR:

With nearly 20% of Ohioans aged 65 and older, our state is facing a growing senior care crisis. Most older adults want to remain in their homes as they age but have limited options to do so. Thankfully, a new senior care program is coming to Northeast Ohio — and not a moment too soon.

PACE provides medical and social services, both in a day center and in the home, that help older adults safely maintain independence in their homes and communities. By delivering high-quality and cost-effective care, PACE has shown strong results in reducing hospital and nursing home admissions, which benefits participants and saves money for the state.

Over the past few years, Ohio lawmakers, led by State Rep. Nick Santucci, have taken bold steps to expand the PACE program in Ohio — leading to the opening of several new centers across the state this year. Now, however, we need the Ohio Department of Medicaid to ensure providers receive adequate reimbursement so that PACE can continue to expand in Ohio.

Recently, Rep. Santucci visited Buckeye PACE-Trumbull, which is opening this month, to learn more about how PACE will help individuals and families aging in Northeast Ohio.

We appreciate Rep. Santucci’s commitment to supporting our aging community members and call on the Ohio Department of Medicaid to ensure the state’s PACE providers can operate sustainably to provide high-quality care to our aging community members.

MARCIE CAMPBELL

vice president

One Senior Care