PACE Archives

PACE Home Care

November 7, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

TRU PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) coordinates and provides care for older individuals so they can continue living safely in their community and receive care directly in their home through our PACE Home Care program. Many of these individuals receive their care at the TRU PACE Day Center, which includes social space and programming, as well as a medical clinic and a rehab gym. At least 60% of PACE participants also get a CNA and home visit.

TRU PACE provides initial assessments for all participants in order to determine which services are needed and where they will best be served. An individualized plan of care is developed, and participants who will be better served at home will receive care where they live, within their community. Home care can include light housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal preparation and delivery, personal care, and medication reminders. It can also include physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical care, and more! The PACE patient community is very diverse, made of individuals from different backgrounds and with a variety of health issues.

Recently, a team from PACE Home Care visited a gentleman to assess his needs and health status. The man clearly takes pride in his appearance with freshly ironed clothing and his home immaculate and clean, but unfortunately had very poor living conditions. Doing the best with what the man had, he still could not afford the copays required from his benefits. When asked why he was continuing on this way the man replied, “because there is no one to help”.

Enter PACE. From the moment that PACE Home Care visited, the man has been a part of the PACE program. Their home visit assessed the man’s living situation and was able to determine the best support for his future health and overall quality of life. Everyone who comes into the program gets assistance, regardless of their ability to pay.

The overall goal of PACE Home Care is to keep individuals safe at home for as long as possible. PACE Home Care works to ensure that each person gets the right care at the right time. Things we often take for granted, such as the ability to bathe, grocery shop, and go out in public, are returned to PACE Home Care participants through simple actions of support such as installed shower chairs, meals on wheels, medication reminders, and dental care.

Kyle Engstrom, the Home Care Coordinator for PACE, shared this story saying,

“Our home care nurses get to see participants in their homes, in their own environments where they spend their lives outside of the Pace Day Center. Our nurses make sure they’re getting the assistance they need to be at home safely. The home care aides are very much the unsung heroes. They see our home care participants weekly, sometimes daily, and help prevent accidents in the home and improve the participants’ overall health and outlook on life. I think it’s cool. These are things we take for granted and are the fundamentals of health.”

TRU PACE serves seniors from all walks of life. Our program can enroll individuals who meet the following eligibility requirements:

At least 55 years old
Living in our PACE service area
Certified by the State of Colorado as needing nursing-home-level care, and
Able to live safely in the community with PACE services at the time of enrollment.

Learn more about the PACE program by visiting the National PACE Organization.

TRU PACE participants must receive all needed healthcare, including primary care and specialty physician services (other than emergency services) from TRU PACE contracted providers. TRU PACE participants may be fully and personally liable for costs of any unauthorized out-of-network services. TRU PACE participants may disenroll at the end of any month.
TRU Community Care is a Colorado-licensed, Medicare and Medicaid-certified, nonprofit health care organization serving the greater Boulder, Broomfield, Adams, Jefferson, and Weld Counties. We rely on the support of our donors, sponsors, and community to provide the services necessary. To learn more about how you can support TRU Community Care, please visit www.trucare.org/donate

TRU PACE Time Capsule

July 5, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

TRU PACE Staff Member with TRU PACE Participant

TRU PACE (Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) serves individuals 55 and older from all walks of life. This innovative program not only supports the physical and mental health of the participants, but also provides an uplifting, fun, and broad community in which the participants find meaningful daily interactions that serve the community as a whole. Staff members continuously identify activities and events that serve the participants on a deep level.

Jill Bilek (PACE Recreational Therapist) and the TRU PACE team have been searching for an activity that encourages the participants’ outlook for the future while reflecting on their past. Ultimately, they wanted to continue with the legacy of the PACE participants. After spending some time researching, Jill arrived at the idea of a time capsule box she saw on Pinterest. The team ordered a simple box that could be decorated by a fellow participant artist and planned out the items the participants would consider using for the ceremony.

Many participants brought trinkets that held individual value and meaning, while others drew pictures and brought photographs of their loved ones. One participant brought his favorite keychain from Boston, where he had grown up. For those who needed assistance processing what to memorialize, Jill found a helpful questionnaire from which the participants could choose writing topics such as: who they are, where they are from, or a letter to their future selves. Some participants wanted more wealth in the future or better health, while others admitted they were not “grown-up” yet.

The ceremony took place in the labyrinth near the TRU PACE building. Jill lined the box in the local newspaper on the day they buried the box, June 17th, 2019. A participant who was a pastor said a prayer of blessing for the participants, their memories, and the occasion. Many of the participants are unsure if they will have the chance to unearth the time capsule. With an acute awareness of how precious time can be, Jill made the date for retrieving the box two years hence, June 17th, 2021.

Memory and memorializing what people hold dear is important as it allows individuals to process their lives and the emotions that simple things can evoke. It is a healthy process emotionally and physically for anyone, at any stage in life. Whether you are a volunteer, staff member, family member, or supporter, the life and health of the TRU PACE community are tangible. TRU PACE reminds us how full life can be, at every stage, through these stories and memories.

Check out pace.trucare.org to learn more about TRU PACE.

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TRU PACE Art Gallery Opening

May 28, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

Last week, more than 60 people joined TRU PACE to celebrate the opening of our art gallery featuring the works of PACE participants and visiting artist, Al Canner. The artwork created by PACE participants was produced through the therapeutic art program, Purple Art.

Al Canner, a fiber artist, is the chairman of the TRU Ethics Committee and our first featured community artist. We are grateful to have his intricate work featured with the works of PACE participants.

TRU PACE participants artist cards are available with a small donation in support of PACE programming by emailing LeslieMader@trucare.org.

If you were not able to come to the TRU PACE Art Opening and would like to view the pieces, showings are available by appointment only. Please make a scheduled viewing by contacting Leslie Mader at 303.665.0115.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the TRU PACE Art Gallery Opening a hit!

Stay in the loop for our next TRU PACE Art Opening and other events by signing up for our newsletter at https://bit.ly/2ZbzPdk.

A Day in the Life with Heidi, a Therapy Dog

May 9, 2019 by Elizabeth Neufeld

On a cold and dreary April morning, Heidi, a shiny-eyed Golden Retriever, is ready for the task she feels made for. Her vigilance for the patients at TRU Community Care’s in-patient Care Center at Longmont United Hospital is unmatched. Heidi has found her joy and ultimate purpose in providing the care needed to support the patients and their loved ones. Every visit she brings a ray of sunshine onto the unit, as she struts off the elevator, ready for the task at hand.

TRU Community Care has provided pet therapy services to patients since 2010, and Heidi has been one of their star volunteers for several years. On this particular Tuesday morning, Heidi is going to be visiting with three patients. She pokes her nose into the first patient’s room without hesitation and then quickly backs up and retreats before Heidi’s human companion, Beth Risdon, can assess the situation. The patient is sleeping and Heidi seems to know that she isn’t needed in that room, or at least not yet.

Heidi looks to Beth, as Beth inquires with the nursing staff as to which patients Heidi should visit with next. As if she understands English, Heidi is up and walking toward room number 5 before the nurses have even finished giving Beth some details on the patient.

Heidi wags her tail as she walks down the hall, eagerly anticipating the visit ahead. Beth knocks and Heidi wags gently at the door. Together they walk in to approach the patient who is sitting facing the cloudy skies out of the window.

Without missing a beat, Heidi walks right up to the patient, who eagerly scratches her head and coos at her. She takes it all in and seems to know that this is what life is all about. After having immersed herself in the love and healing energy of Heidi, the patient looks up to see Beth standing there and begins to tell a story about her two dogs, one of which only knew French commands.

Heidi’s beginnings were on a farm in Nebraska. Her human got sick when Heidi was about two and had to abandon all the animals on the farm. She quickly found herself adopted by Beth’s family in Longmont, Colorado. It was shortly after Beth’s family brought her home that they realized that Heidi possessed the qualities of a great therapy dog. After some time, Heidi started going on walks with a group of retired me who all worked together at IBM, now retired. Bernie, their neighbor, comes to get Heidi and take her on these walks every day except Sunday for a 3.5 mile loop. Heidi is very aware that this walk is a part of her routine.

Her disposition is sunny and bright with a love for routine. Beth realized that Heidi was special and would make a great therapy dog. Two and a half years ago, Beth began the process of getting Heidi and herself certified and trained as a pet therapy team. Heidi was five and a half when she got certified; she is now eight years old. After Beth and Heidi’s final evaluation, Beth reached out to TRU Community Care to see if they would be interested in having the therapy session trainings. And thus, the idea of Heidi being a therapy dog for patients at the end of their life in need of this type of healing support, was born.

The first day on the job, Beth knew that TRU Community Care was going to be a good fit for Heidi. “She walked into a patient’s room and immediately knew what to do.” says Beth. The patient had breast cancer and asked if Heidi could join her on the bed. Beth checked in with the caretaking team and they gave the okay. With that, Heidi jumped up and plopped her head down right on the patient’s chest–where she knew her cancer lived. The patient looked up at Beth and said with a smile, “She knows.”

And that she does.

Now, they both have a weekly session every Tuesday morning at the care center. Beth and Heidi are available to anyone who wants to see them or be with them during this time. Heidi’s work with family members has been incredible. It varies in reaction, but if their loved one loved dogs or they miss their companion, then it can be a very emotional experience. Heidi becomes a vehicle for conversation, re-counting of their history, and ultimately creates an environment that they open up to.

At times, Heidi will come in when a patient has just passed away. Beth will introduce Heidi and she will lie down while everyone begins to pet and love on her. Gradually, everyone will begin to tell stories and open up about their experiences. Heidi is super clued into the emotion about the death and is able to provide a level of empathy that doesn’t come with words.

When Heidi’s therapy vest goes on, she can’t wait to get to the care center. She is all in, going every Tuesday for two years.

For more information about TRU Community Care’s Pet Therapy Program, please visit trucare.org.

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TRU PACE Program Receives Paige Foundation Grant

March 12, 2019 by TRU Community Care

(Lafayette, CO) — TRU PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) recently received a generous $15,000 grant from the Herbert and Judy Paige Family Foundation in support of their work to provide preventive, primary, acute, and long-term care services that enable elderly individuals to continue living safely in the community.

This grant specifically allows TRU PACE to expand usage of MedaCubes, which are “medication robots” with web portal analytics to help frail elders take their medications as prescribed and maintain their independence. It is a unique, error-proof “bulk loading” of up to 90-days of medications and has several features to help patients and caregivers. This funding is in addition to previous grant support provided by The Paige Foundation.

Dr. Shirley Huang, TRU PACE Medical Director, is especially grateful for this grant. She says, “We jumped at the opportunity to utilize MedaCubes when they first came out, so we were an early adopter of this exclusive technology. It gives peace of mind for caregivers, family members, and clinical staff. It’s a better way to remotely manage medication compliance and control drug diversion risk. Some of our participants even use it to guide their daily routine or as an alarm clock. It enables further independent living at home and staves off facility placement. We feel very fortunate that we can now offer it to more of our participants.”

When asked about her MedaCube, PACE participant Barbara Pol stated, “It has helped me to be able to take my medicine on time and to make sure I’m taking the right dose. I don’t get mixed up and I find it very helpful in that respect.”

TRU PACE, available to people 55 years or older who are certified by the State of Colorado to need nursing-home-level care, currently has 128 participants enrolled. The program supports clients to live as independently as possible and helps participants and their families navigate the complicated issues associated with aging.

Part of the mission of the Herbert and Judy Paige Foundation is to ensure that low-income seniors have necessary healthcare, transportation, housing, and food. In addition to being cared for by an 11-person Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) that includes a primary care physician, occupation therapist, social worker, and dietician; TRU PACE participants have access to dentistry, emergency services, home care, podiatry, and more. Participants enjoy a range of activities which they help to select and facilitate. The past year’s activities included chair yoga, music therapy, holiday parties, labyrinth walks, drama club, Purple Art, and Spanish classes, just to name a few. TRU PACE partners with Via Mobility Services for transportation and Meals on Wheels Boulder for lunches, in addition to having more than 200 contracts with individuals and organizations who enhance the holistic plan of care for each participant.

About TRU PACE

TRU PACE is a program of TRU Community Care. TRU Community Care, founded as Boulder Hospice in 1976, is a Colorado-licensed, Medicare and Medicaid-certified, nonprofit health care organization serving Boulder, Broomfield, Adams, Jefferson, and Weld Counties and beyond. TRU’s mission is to affirm life at every step of your journey with illness and loss. In addition to PACE, TRU offers hospice home care, inpatient hospice services, palliative care, grief services, and community education and outreach. Call 303.449.7740 or visit trucare.org for more information. To learn more or to enroll in the TRU PACE program, individuals should call 303.665.0115 or email pace@trucare.org. More information about TRU PACE can be found at pace.trucare.org.

About the Paige Foundation

The Herbert and Judy Paige Family Foundation was founded in June 2000. The mission of the Paige Foundation is to support education, animals and older adults through our endowment and donor engagement. Herb and Judy created the Paige Family Foundation with the strong belief that, “The basis of all human improvement begins with education.” This ideal drives our educational mission today. For more information please visit www.PaigeFdn.org.

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New TRU PACE Program Now Enrolling

February 2, 2017 by TRU Community Care

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2017

Contact:
Leslie Mader, TRU PACE Outreach & Enrollment Manager
lesliemader@trucare.org

(Lafayette, CO) – TRU Community Care, a nonprofit organization providing hospice and supportive services to the Boulder and surrounding communities, announces enrollment is now open for its new TRU PACE program. PACE stands for Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. Designed for seniors who would otherwise need nursing-home-level care, the TRU PACE model helps seniors live in their communities for as long as possible.

TRU PACE is a Medicare/Medicaid covered program serving seniors 55 years and older who reside in Boulder and southwest Weld counties. Services include coordinated healthcare services and support; a day program, social activities, and physical therapy; and transportation to and from the TRU PACE facility provided by Via.

TRU PACE will help participants and their families navigate the complicated issues associated with aging.

Referral sources and the community can call 303.665.0115 or email pace@trucare.org to speak with an enrollment specialist. Qualified participants will begin TRU PACE services with a target start date of March 1, 2017.

About TRU Community Care

TRU Community Care provides end-of-life hospice and palliative care as well as grief services to those residing in Boulder, Broomfield, Adams, Jefferson, and southwest Weld counties. TRU now offers TRU PACE, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, which serves frail seniors in Boulder and southwest Weld Counties. TRU Hospice of Northern Colorado serves Greeley and extends to Weld and Larimer counties. Additional services include grief support groups, which are available to anyone in the community free of charge. It is a privilege for us to help those who are grieving regain their balance and resume healthy living. Grief groups include adult, teen, and child as well as equine therapy. At TRU Community Care, we add life to days, because that’s what TRUly matters. The sooner you call, the more we can help – 303.442.0961 or visit trucare.org.

TRU Community Care Receives $500k Grant Toward Capital Campaign

August 15, 2016 by TRU Community Care

TRU Community Care, founded in 1976 as the first hospice in Colorado, is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $500,000 grant by the Daniels Fund.

The grant will be used to fund TRU’s Capital Campaign, a $6 million effort to raise funds for the new TRU PACE Center/TRU Hospice Grief Center in Lafayette. With the aging population expected to grow 69% during the next 25 years, TRU Community Care is seizing the opportunity to continue its leadership by adding a Program for All Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) to its cadre of services. The goal of PACE is to help frail elders (including veterans) remain safely in their homes through a continuum of care offering, including adult daycare, socialization, and medical care. TRU Community Care’s support will continue as these seniors move toward hospice care.

The Daniels Fund will name the Welcome Center on the PACE side of the site. Through the Welcome Center, participants will enter the building each day and from there access administrative offices, the transportation coordinator’s office, and the activities space.

The Daniels Fund, established by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, is a private charitable foundation dedicated to making life better for the people of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming through its grant program, scholarship program, and ethics initiative. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.

TRU Community Care serves Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Broomfield, Erie, and beyond. TRU Hospice of Northern Colorado offers services in Greeley and extends to Weld and Larimer counties.

Additional services include grief support, which is available to anyone in the community. It is a privilege for us to help those who are grieving regain their balance and resume healthy living. Grief groups include adult, teen, and child as well as equine therapy.

At TRU Community Care, we add life to days, because that’s what TRUly matters. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help – 303.442.0961 or visit trucare.org

About the Author

Maria Thomas is the Communications Coordinator for TRU Community Care and TRU Hospice of Northern Colorado. She is a lover of the written word and also is a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). With over 15 years’ experience in the health care field, Maria has worked as a medical editor and as managing editor at National Jewish Health in Denver.

Join us for our 40th bash!

May 10, 2016 by TRU Community Care

Mark your calendars! In celebration of our 40^th, TRU Community Care will be hosting an anniversaryparty on Sunday, June 26 from 2 to 5 p.m. and all of TRU’s supporters are invited to attend. The celebration will also include the grand opening for our new PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly) and Grief Services building. PACE is a comprehensive program that helps nursing-home eligible seniors live as independently as possible.

The event will be held at 2593 Park Lane in Lafayette, around the corner from our existing administrative offices on Trailridge Drive. We hope to see you there!