New York Independent Living community celebrates 20th anniversary

The goal of the idea was simple - providing able seniors a place to recover so that they wouldn't have to enter a nursing home if they didn't require intensive care. On December 31, 1990, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) was launched and, over the course of the next few years, independent living communities were opened in the Irondequoit, New York, area, according to The Irondequoit Post. 


"With support, our participants can go back to their communities and their homes," executive director Deb Metz told the news provider.

"The program provides coordinated care for seniors, but it does not cover housing."


The independent living community provides transportation, skilled nursing, day care and a recreation center for the participants. Metz described it as an "interdisciplinary plan" that can aid older adults who are recovering and looking to regain independence.


While some older adults may opt for all of the services, others may find that they instead want to be more independent. PACE focuses on the customizability of its program.


The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information estimates that up to 70 percent of baby boomers will need some kind of long-term care in the future, according to TCPalm.com.


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