New Jersey PACE Association Formed to Support PACE Programs

On Aug 14, 2019

The New Jersey PACE Association announced its formation as a new avenue for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) organizations to advocate for the growth and development of PACE throughout the state.

PACE is a person-centered, multidisciplinary program focused on assisting participants to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible. PACE, through Medicare and Medicaid, provides the full continuum of services ranging from primary and specialty medical care to home-based services that support everyday living needs for disabled and older adults who are at least 55 years of age and who qualify for nursing home level services. These services are provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals with the goal of providing comprehensive care in a community setting rather than a nursing home.

The purpose of the NJ PACE Association is to promote and improve opportunities for organizations to sponsor PACE in their communities, as well as to advance training and education for PACE providers and advocate for the PACE approach to care. Today, New Jersey’s PACE organizations serve 1,100 participants and growth is anticipated as expanded and new PACE organizations become operational in additional counties.

The NJ PACE Association is comprised of organizations with established PACE services: Inspira LIFE, Beacon of LIFE, AtlantiCare LIFE Connection and Lutheran Senior LIFE.

“New Jersey has offered PACE as a long-term care option since 2009. The incorporation of the New Jersey PACE Association on the 10th anniversary of our state’s addition of this unique and important approach acknowledges the growing significance of PACE,” stated Jill Viggiano, executive director of Inspira LIFE and the first Board president of the Association. “Working in collaboration with the National PACE Association, we will be a strong voice for PACE providers and the recipients of PACE services statewide. It is an honor to serve as the first president of the organization.”

The association will receive operations and advocacy support from the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) which provides continuity of NJHA’s support of the state’s PACE organizations for the last decade while PACE was gaining a stronger foothold in the New Jersey continuum of care for seniors and the disabled.

“PACE is growing in New Jersey, and the Association looks forward to engaging with and supporting PACE organizations,” said Theresa Edelstein, vice president of post acute care policy and special initiatives at NJHA.

NJ PACE Association is a state affiliate of the National PACE Association.

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