PACE in Fresno County: What It Is and Who Can Qualify
Coordinated medical care and daily support for older adults who want to stay safely at home.
What PACE is
PACE stands for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Instead of juggling separate doctors, pharmacies, and services, a PACE organization coordinates care as one program — built around helping an older adult keep living in the community instead of a nursing home.
What a PACE program may include
Primary and specialty medical care, prescription medications, transportation to approved services, therapy and rehabilitation, adult day services and meals, social support, and coordinated home care when authorized. Family caregivers often say the coordination itself — one team that knows the whole picture — is the biggest relief.
Who can generally qualify
PACE programs generally serve people who are 55 or older, live in a PACE organization's service area, meet a nursing-home level of care determination, and can live safely in the community with PACE support. Final eligibility is always determined by the PACE organization and applicable state requirements — not by any agent or website.
What families in Fresno should know
Fresno County is served by PACE organizations, and interest has grown as more families look for alternatives to nursing facilities. PACE is not the same as a standard Medicare Advantage plan: enrolling typically changes how all of your covered services are coordinated, so it deserves a complete, unhurried explanation before any decision.
How to explore PACE
1. Start with our PACE lesson for the basics.
2. Make a short list of the daily needs and medical conditions involved.
3. Talk it through — Frank can help your family understand how PACE compares with other paths, at no charge: schedule a conversation or call 559-862-5615.
4. For information about all available options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or California's HICAP at 1-800-434-0222.