Getting to know Bluestem PACE
When it comes to care opportunities to journey with seniors through the aging process, there are options, and Bluestem Communities offers many of them.
Not every option requires seniors to move to a new home to receive the care they need. Bluestem PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) supports individuals age 55 and better who have complex medical needs to remain living in their own homes for as long as possible by coordinating comprehensive care. Bluestem PACE serves seniors in a six-county region of McPherson, Reno, Harvey, Marion, Rice and Saline counties.
“Bluestem PACE offers participants an alternative to traditional residential care homes by enabling them to stay in their homes and communities while providing a full spectrum of medical and supportive services all from one source and administered and coordinated by the interdisciplinary team,” said Justin Loewen, Bluestem PACE Executive Director.
The program operates from a primary location in McPherson, Kansas, and an alternative care site in Hutchinson, Kansas. Both locations provide on-campus access to primary care physicians, therapy services, social services and personal care, as well as a day center. The
day center is a place for participants to spend time between on-campus care appointments or while their at-home caregivers tend to other responsibilities during the day. Transportation is a unique feature at Bluestem PACE. Drivers pick up participants at their homes and take them to and from the day center and to specialty appointments as needed.
“This coordination of care reduces the burden of managing schedules for participants and their at-home caregivers,” said Loewen. “Bluestem PACE also provides services that address the psychosocial and functional needs of participants. Together, the comprehensive services work to prevent gaps in care and result in better outcomes for participants.”
PACE is a national care model that has existed since the early 1970’s. Bluestem PACE was added as part of Bluestem Communities in 2016. Since that time, it has grown to serve more than 100 seniors in the service area. It has also received national recognition for various aspects of care services within the PACE model of care.
“PACE has been my saving grace,” said Leslie, a Bluestem PACE participant.
Leslie became a Bluestem PACE participant in July 2022 after hitting a low spot medically and personally.
In 2015, she suffered an extreme medical event including two brain aneurysms, a massive stroke and a heart attack.
“Recovering from everything that happened to me really changed me,” said Leslie. “I had always been very social and outgoing and someone who just loved people. As I recovered, I became withdrawn. My aneurysms and stroke left me with occasional forgetfulness and difficulty saying what I wanted to. I was so self- conscious about it that I isolated and became really depressed. Over time, my overall health became really bad.”
After a couple of months of receiving Bluestem PACE services, Leslie’s health improved dramatically. “Until I started with Bluestem PACE, I hadn’t realized how sick and weak and sad I had become. Now, laughter has truly become an everyday part of my life again. The staff and other participants here at PACE are my family. Everyone understands that each person has their struggles, and we don’t have to explain it or try to make others understand why we are the way we are.”
To learn more about Bluestem PACE, visit bluestempace.org. Schedule a tour or consult at 844-588-7223.