To help kick off National PACE Month, Gary and Mary West PACE recently partnered with St. Paul’s PACE to bring seniors together for “PACE in the Park,” a fun-filled morning event held on August 23, 2023 at Oak Crest Community Park in Encinitas.
Participants from the two San Diego County PACE organizations joined in a variety of activities—from icebreakers to chair yoga, balloon volleyball, arts and crafts and more—and enjoyed snacks and socializing. “PACE in the Park” marked the first partnership event between the two San Diego-area PACE programs, setting the stage for future collaborations.
“Seeing our participants revel in the day’s festivities and forge deeper bonds reminds us of the incredible impact we can create together,” said Mary Jurgensen, community engagement director at West PACE. “We’re immensely grateful for this collaboration between our two PACE organizations and the shared commitment that made this celebration possible.”
National PACE Month, created by the National PACE Association and held annually in September, is a time when the benefits of Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (or PACE, for short) are shared nationwide. The PACE initiative offers a comprehensive package of health care and social services to adults over 55 with multiple chronic conditions requiring skilled nursing care. By prioritizing the independence of older adults, PACE programs enable them to continue living in the comfort of their homes.
This year’s National PACE Month theme, “PACE: Where You Belong,” highlights the sense of community and connection that PACE programs build for their participants and staff. The “PACE in the Park” event hosted by West PACE and St. Paul’s PACE fostered a sense of belonging among the participants present as they bonded over food and fun activities.
“The ‘PACE in the Park’ end-of-summer gathering brought together vibrant hearts and resilient souls,” Mary continued. “This event exemplifies the essence of PACE—fostering connections that transcend boundaries and celebrating the freedom of living an active, independent life.”
West PACE will host activities throughout September to recognize National PACE Month. Employees, participants, senior service professionals and the general public are encouraged to get involved and learn more about how PACE programs positively impact San Diego County seniors and their families.
Located in San Marcos, West PACE provides compassionate, comprehensive health care and social services for older adults over 55 years old who live in North San Diego County and have multiple chronic conditions that qualify them to a skilled nursing level of care. Through a broad range of services, from medical care to social activities to transportation, West PACE helps older adults live as independently as possible in their own homes, avoiding the need for institutional care.
We participate in National PACE Month to promote unity with other PACE programs in San Diego County and beyond, and to boost awareness of the valuable opportunity seniors have through PACE to age successfully “in place,” in the comfort of their homes.
If you or a loved one is 55 or older, lives in North County San Diego, and meets state requirements for nursing home level of care, contact West PACE to see if enrolling in our program is right for you. Call 760-280-2230 or email us today.
