This new health care program in Hiawatha gives older adults independence, better quality of life

HIAWATHA — A new program in Hiawatha is a one-stop shop for health care services for eligible participants age 55 and older to help them remain in their homes and live an active and healthy lifestyle for as long as possible.

For Rosie Hawkins of Cedar Rapids, PACE — Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly — means she is able to get the help she needs, including physical therapy to improve her balance and strengthen her legs, and a place she can find community. Transportation to and from the PACE facility and medical appointments also is included.

“I just couldn’t believe everything PACE has,” Hawkins said. “They take care of all my medical needs and it’s a place where you can get away from home for a day and enjoy yourself. I feel really welcome here.”

Hawkins requires care from lung, heart and kidney doctors. However, she lives on a fixed income and was unable to afford adequate food, medicine and medical care before joining PACE.

PACE is a three-way agreement between UnityPoint Health, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the state. The location in Hiawatha at 1450 North Center Point Rd., opened July 1 to participants and is the fourth UnityPoint Health location in the state. Other UnityPoint Health locations include Waterloo, Bettendorf and Sioux City.

The program charges no deductibles or co-payments for any drug, service or care approved by the PACE interdisciplinary team. Those who are eligible for Medicaid and Medicare or Medicaid only pay no premium for services.

Those who are eligible for Medicare only will be charged a monthly premium for the program.

Private pay options also are available.

PACE services include primary care from an on-site medical clinic; specialty medical care; medications; therapeutic recreation; rehabilitation and restorative therapies; dietary services, including meals; laundry facilities; in-home support and care; and social work services.

The PACE program is open to people age 55 and older who are eligible for nursing facility level of care, live in a PACE service area county and are able to live safely in the community at the time of enrollment, according to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

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Rusty Broten, 68, started at PACE just a couple of weeks ago. The staff helped ensure his shower at home is accessible and safe by adding a new shower head and shower seat.

Broten, who previously sought services at Veterans Affairs in Iowa City, no longer has to travel as far for his appointments. He enjoys spending three days a week socializing at PACE in Hiawatha.

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Brenda O’Connor, PACE program manager, said working at PACE is “eye opening.”

“I knew we needed a program like this, but then to see it from day one to month four, it’s come to life,” O’Connor said.

There are 18 participants in the PACE program, with room to grow. They have capacity for 250 people to enroll.

Krystal Klostermann, director of PACE, said the program can ease the burden of many participants by ensuring they are connected with the proper health care appointments, including eye and dental care.

A week after enrolling, participants “seem so much healthier, so much happier. They’re connected with the medical care they need, get their prescriptions filled and have proper nutrition,” Klostermann said.

To learn more about the PACE program, call 319-451-5000 or complete an online form at unitypoint.org/pace.

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