Catholic Charities In the News
For immediate release: September 29, 2009
PACE celebrates 2 years of operation with ‘Lunch on the Lawn’ event
Government-funded center for the elderly is emblematic of need for patient-centered
healthcare reform
WHO: PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) Greater New Orleans
WHAT: Lunch on the Lawn
WHEN: Tuesday, September 29 at 11:30 AM
WHERE: Shirley Landry Benson PACE Center at St. Cecilia, 4201 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA 70117
Tuesday, September 29, PACE Greater New Orleans (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) will hold a “lunch on the lawn” to celebrate its two-year anniversary of providing comprehensive healthcare services to the seniors and their families. The Shirley Landry Benson PACE Center at St. Cecilia was the first PACE Center to open in Louisiana.
PACE is a non-for profit healthcare program for seniors in need of nursing home level care. It is a dually-capitated model that manages all aspects of its participants’ healthcare. PACE makes effective use of Medicare and Medicaid funds so that the costs of all of its participants needs are covered.
“We are able to provide all of the care that is needed, but only the care that is needed,” said Stephanie Smith, Executive Director of PACE GNO. “There is no need for unnecessary testing because PACE becomes each participant’s healthcare manager.”
PACE also provides a nursing home alternative for elderly seniors, most of whom live at home with a family member or caregiver. The doctors and nurses at PACE consult with the families in order to provide the most appropriate level of care for each senior. If the participant needs hospitalization or a specialist, PACE has contracted with Ochsner Health Systems in order to secure continuity of care.
“We call this cutting edge and common sense medicine at the same time,” Smith said.
There are 81 participants currently enrolled at the Shirley Landry Benson PACE Center at St. Cecilia, which serves Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes. The Center can accommodate up to 147 seniors. Interested families can call (504) 861-6380 if interested in enrolling a loved one in PACE.
PACE is planning to expand to the Hope Haven campus on the Westbank within the next two years.
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS:
Stephanie Smith, Executive Director of PACE GNO
Dr. Elmore Rigamer, Medical Director for Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans
Gordon R. Wadge, Co-President & CEO for Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans
Shawn Barney, Chairperson, PACE GNO Board of Directors
CONFIRMED GUESTS:
Rita Benson LeBlanc, Owner/Executive Vice President, New Orleans Saints & PACE Board Member
Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints mascot
Jackie Clarkson, New Orleans City Councilmember-at-Large
James Carter, New Orleans City Councilmember, District C
Dr. Glenn Green, Westwego City Councilmember, District 1
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