A guide for families & caregivers — Updated 2026
If your aging parent needs significant medical care but desperately wants to stay home — not move into a nursing facility — you may have felt like you were running out of options. The good news is that a program exists specifically designed for this situation, and most families have never heard of it. It’s called PACE, and for the right person, it can be life-changing.
What Is a PACE Program?
PACE stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It is a federally and state-funded program — jointly covered by Medicare and Medicaid — that provides comprehensive medical and supportive care to older adults who need nursing home-level care but choose to remain living in the community.
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Instead of placing your parent in a skilled nursing facility, PACE coordinates everything — doctors, specialists, therapists, medications, transportation, meals, social activities, and more — through a single coordinated team. Think of it as an entire care system wrapped around one person, rather than a patchwork of disconnected appointments and services.
Who Qualifies for PACE?
To enroll in a PACE program, your parent must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be age 55 or older
- Live in a PACE service area (coverage varies by state and county)
- Be certified by the state as needing nursing home-level care
- Be able to live safely in the community with PACE support at the time of enrollment
Most PACE participants are dual-eligible, meaning they qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. If your parent has Medicaid, PACE is typically available at little or no cost. If they have Medicare but not Medicaid, they may pay a monthly premium. Private-pay options also exist at some PACE organizations.
What Does PACE Actually Cover?
This is where PACE stands apart from almost every other program. The coverage is remarkably comprehensive:
| Category | Services Included |
|---|---|
| Medical Care | Primary care, specialist visits, hospital care, emergency services |
| Therapies | Physical, occupational, and speech therapy |
| Medications | Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications as approved |
| Personal Care | Help with bathing, dressing, grooming at home or at the PACE center |
| Nutrition | Meals at the PACE day center, dietary counseling |
| Transportation | Door-to-door rides to the PACE center and medical appointments |
| Social Support | Social work services, caregiver support, activities at the day center |
| Dental & Vision | Covered as needed — a major gap Medicare alone does not fill |
How the Day-to-Day Actually Works
Most PACE participants attend a PACE day center several days per week. These centers are designed to feel welcoming — not clinical — and provide meals, socialization, therapies, and medical monitoring all in one place. Transportation is arranged by the PACE team, so your parent doesn’t need to rely on you for rides to appointments.
A dedicated interdisciplinary care team — including a physician, nurse, social worker, therapist, and others — meets regularly to review your parent’s care plan. When needs change, the plan changes too. There’s no starting over with a new provider every few months.
For families, this structure offers something invaluable: a single point of contact instead of juggling ten different doctors, agencies, and insurance calls.
Is PACE Available Everywhere?
Not yet. PACE programs currently operate in more than 30 states, with new programs being added. Coverage is often limited to specific counties or metro areas even within participating states. This is one of the program’s real limitations — if your parent lives in a rural area, a PACE site may not be nearby.
You can search for PACE programs by ZIP code at the official PACE finder tool through the National PACE Association at npaonline.org.
Common Questions Families Ask
“Can my parent stay with their own doctor?” In most cases, no. PACE provides its own medical team. This is a real adjustment for some families. However, the PACE team typically provides far more coordinated, proactive care than most seniors receive through standard Medicare alone.
“What if my parent needs to go to the hospital or nursing home?” PACE covers that too. If hospitalization is necessary, PACE manages it. The goal is always to return your parent home as quickly