Carolina SeniorCare Helps Residents in Seven NC Counties Age At Home
(The Sun Journal, Caramia Valentin) — Carolina SeniorCare-East, an EveryAge Program, is now open and serving seniors ages 55 and older in seven area counties.
Carolina SeniorCare, located at 3681 Neuse Blvd. in New Bern, provides the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, also known as PACE.
The provider-based health plan helps provides people with access to services they need without moving out of their homes.
PACE programs provide comprehensive medical, preventative and social services, supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
The program focuses on prevention, wellness and a commitment to enhance the quality of life for seniors and their families through care and support.
Carolina SeniorCare-East will serve seniors ages 55 and older who live in Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Jones, Lenoir, Onslow and Pamlico counties. Those within the service area who qualify by the North Carolina Medicaid Agency as eligible for nursing home care can join the program.
Lee Syria, president and chief executive officer of EveryAge, said EveryAge has a rich history of more than 50 years of providing care and services for older adults.
Syria said that by expanding Carolina SeniorCare into eastern North Carolina, EveryAge continues to build on its mission to provide vibrant living, compassionate services and diverse outreach programs.
“The PACE program is filling a need in the community by providing the opportunity for a person to remain in their home longer while receiving the necessary care and services,” she said. “We are grateful for the outpouring of support that has been shown by the city of New Bern and the wider community, along with the health care providers in the area who are working closely with us to provide the services needed for the participants.”
The services Carolina SeniorCare-East provide include physician care, nursing services, vision care, dental care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech rehabilitation therapy, prescription drugs, preventative services, preventative education, laboratory services, diagnostic testing, recreational activities, nutritional counseling and meals, transportation, home health care and personal care.
Mayor Jeffrey Odham said the city appreciates the investment.
“In New Bern, we don’t lack for ideas,” he said. “Everybody would like to see Krispy Creme or Cracker Barrel and we love those things, we want them to come here as well, but what’s so special about this facility is that it actually meets a need.
“We don’t necessarily need those restaurants. They’re certainly nice to have, but this is something in our community that is a need.”
Kevin Roberts, president and chief executive officer of the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce, agreed that the services will benefit the city and area residents
“This is such a special facility but also, the services that come out of this facility, are so important for our market,” Roberts said.
The facility has a large adult day health center, where participants can mingle and participate in various activities Monday through Friday.
Carolina SeniorCare-East provides wheelchair-accessible transportation, a registered dietitian and meals for its participants.
There is also a room with cardio machines and other equipment that provide occupational therapy and physical therapy. The room is complete with a staged bedroom and bathroom to help people practice mobility skills inside a home setting.
A sensory room at CarolinaSenior Care-East is a safe space for people to relax with comfortable chairs, dim lighting and white noise machines.
Participants also have access to a secure outdoor space and an on-site medical facility. The care team includes doctors, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, social workers and personal care aides.
Carolina SeniorCare-East also provides in-home services including health care, personal care, homemaker services and routine chores.
People who qualify for Medicare can receive some of the services at no cost. Those who also qualify for the North Carolina Medicaid program receive the long-term care portion of the PACE benefit at no cost or with a small monthly payment.
Those with an income over the Medicaid threshold may still be eligible to participate in the program by paying a premium or patient monthly liability, which is based on the individual’s assets and income.
Those who only qualify for Medicare can receive services by paying a set monthly fee.
Sabrena Lea, deputy director of long-term services and support for North Carolina Medicaid, said PACE is the state’s oldest managed care model.
“(With this facility) we moved the needle toward the manifestation of an actual person-centered practice that strikes the balance between what is important to an individual with what is important for them,” Lea said. “Your mission statement of honoring the past, celebrating the present and embracing the future reminds us it is possible to serve people with dignity in the settings of care.”
For more information about Carolina SeniorCare visit CarolinaSeniorCare.org.