The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) offers a distinct approach to senior care that integrates adult day health care with comprehensive medical services. For families navigating complex care needs, PACE can be a valuable option worth understanding.
How PACE Works
PACE programs use an adult day health center as the primary care hub. Participants typically attend the PACE center several days per week and receive a full range of services there — including primary care visits, specialist consultations, therapy, meals, transportation, and social programming — before returning home each evening.
The PACE model is designed for seniors who need nursing home-level care but prefer to remain living in the community. All care is coordinated by the PACE team, which includes physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and other specialists.
Who Is Eligible for PACE
To qualify for PACE, a person must:
- Be age 55 or older
- Live within a PACE organization's service area
- Be certified as needing nursing facility-level care
- Be able to live safely in the community with PACE support
For people enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid (dual-eligible), PACE is typically provided at no cost. For Medicare-only participants, a monthly premium applies.
Finding a PACE Program
As of early 2026, over 200 PACE programs operate in 33 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 92,000 participants, according to the National PACE Association (npaonline.org, February 2026). Not every area has a local program. Families can search for PACE programs through the National PACE Association at npaonline.org, or by contacting their state Medicaid office.
PACE is not the right fit for everyone — particularly for those who prefer to continue seeing outside physicians. However, for families managing complex medical needs alongside the costs of adult day care, it is worth exploring.
For a comparison of PACE and other adult day care coverage options, see the Coverage Guide or Types of Adult Day Care.