PACE/LIFE Benefits for Persons with Alzheimer’s or Dementia

What is PACE?

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) coordinates medical, social service and non-medical long-term care for individuals age 55+ who need a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) but, in most cases, live in the community. According to the National PACE Association, nearly half of all people enrolled in PACE have a diagnosis of dementia.

PACE covers medically necessary nursing home stays, but most program participants live in their own home, the home of a loved one, assisted living or somewhere else in the community. In fact, PACE is designed to help people age at home. In some states, PACE is known as LIFE, which stands for Living Independence for the Elderly.

There are more than 300 PACE programs operating in 33 states across the country. They all have PACE day centers that provide daytime supervision and medical oversight for program members. The available services aren’t the same in every PACE day center, but they can include meals, social activities, exercise programs, therapies, skilled nursing and access to optometrists, audiologists, dentists and podiatrists.

PACE Eligibility Requirements

PACE applicants including those with dementia, must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a minimum of 55 years old.
• Require a Nursing Facility Level of Care
• Be able to safely live in the community with assistance from PACE
• Live in a geographic region that offers PACE

As of June 2025, the states without PACE/LIFE programs (or plans to have one) are Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming. All other states have one, although that doesn’t mean every resident in those states lives close enough to a PACE program and day center to be eligible. To see if there is a PACE program in your are, click here.

Being enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid is not an eligibility requirement for PACE, but most program participants are enrolled in both programs. Anyone not enrolled Medicaid will have to pay a small premium for PACE. After enrolling in PACE, however, members never have to pay a deductible or a co-payment for any medication or service provided by the PACE healthcare team.

Program Benefits

A healthcare team, which includes nurses, occupational therapists, physical and speech therapists, doctors, social workers, and dieticians, work with PACE recipients to create an individualized care plan. The plan includes prescription medication, all Medicaid and Medicare Part A, B and D benefits, and regular care from a primary care provider with an office that is on call 24/7. The plan will also include any other care that is considered medically necessary, including:

• In-home medical and non-medical care (detailed below)
• Outpatient services (lab work, x-rays, radiology)
• In-patient services (hospitalizations, skilled rehab, surgery)
• Hearing, vision, dental, podiatry
• Cardiology
• Rheumatology
• Women’s services
• Mental health care
• Rehabilitation equipment
• Durable medical equipment

All of these benefits can be provided in a private home or an assisted living facility. All PACE members can also use their program’s adult day center, which provides daytime supervision, medical oversight, meals and a variety of other programs, activities and healthcare benefits, as mentioned above. PACE programs will also provide transportation to and from the day center, if needed.

Benefits for Persons with Dementia

The in-home care available via PACE, also known as home and community based services, can be especially beneficial for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. These benefits include:

• Skilled nursing visits
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Meal delivery
• Chore services
• Assistive technology like electronic pill boxes
• Personal Emergency Response Systems
• Personal Care Assistance with the Activities of Daily Living (mobility, bathing, dressing/grooming, eating, toileting)
• Assistance with the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, medication management, etc.)

These benefits are intended to help seniors remain living in their own home or the home of a loved ones who is, most likely, providing care. Aging at home or with their family is usually an ideal situation for seniors, especially those with dementia, who can be easily upset or destabilized by change.

PACE also provides support for these informal family caregivers in the form of training, support groups and respite care. Plus, the daytime supervision and care provided PACE day centers allows family members to work during regular business hours.

How Much Does PACE Cost?

For anyone enrolled in Medicaid, or anyone enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare, there is no cost for PACE. Those enrolled in only Medicare, or not enrolled in either program, have to pay a monthly premium for PACE that can vary depending on their financial situation and medical needs.

How to Apply for a PACE Program

In order to apply for PACE/LIFE, there must be a program in the state you live in and in your area. To find out if there is a local PACE program, click here. If there is a PACE program, contact the program directly to begin the application process.