On Lok Lifeways at Institute on Aging
On Lok Lifeways pioneered the model of care known as “Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly” or PACE. Institute on Aging operates a PACE Center in the Richmond District of San Francisco. On Lok Lifeways’ PACE allows seniors who are ill or disabled to live in their own home, whether home is a family residence, apartment, retirement village or hotel room.
On Lok Lifeways centers are lively places where participants have access to medical care, social activities, exercise and meals. Participants may attend the centers from one to five days a week, based on the team’s recommendations and the senior’s needs and interests.
Individuals may receive the following benefits:
- Primary medical and specialty care as needed
- Social services
- Transportation and emergency medical transport
- Physical, occupational, speech, and recreational therapies
- Home care and personal care
- Nutrition services and home delivered meals when needed
- Routine preventative care such as audiology, dentistry, optometry, and podiatry
- Nursing care and monitoring
- Adult day health care for socialization, and activities
- Prescription drugs
- Acute hospital and nursing home care
As a social worker, I have a lot of clients with complex health care problems but not a lot of resources.
Every Day is Different
Since each participant is as an active partner in his or her individualized care plan, there is no “standard” day with On Lok Lifeways PACE at Institute on Aging. Following is an example of a participant’s day:
Help at Home
Depending on the participant’s needs, a home care assistant may visit him/her every day, a few times a week, or once a week.
The assistant is one of a familiar group of 2 or 3 people who visit the participant at home. On Lok Lifeways’ home care assistants are part of a professional staff that we qualify, train, and oversee. Participants’ care and safety is a priority.
At the participant’s home, the On Lok Lifeways assistant may help him shave, get dressed, cue medicines, and do some basic shopping and chores.
Visiting the On Lok Lifeways Center at Institute on Aging for the Day
When a participant visits On Lok Lifeways at Institute on Aging, the morning begins with a van ride to the center. The familiar van driver will help the participant get into the van comfortably.
At the On Lok Lifeways center at Institute on Aging, the participant might have the primary care physician check on a specific health problem. Then they might socialize with friends, eat a lunch customized for their dietary needs, and exercise with a physical therapist to maintain mobility.
The day could wind down with a cultural performance from a local arts group, or a quiet talk with their social worker.
After a full day at On Lok Lifeways, the van driver returns the participant to their home, possibly with a meal for dinner and/or medications.
Peace of Mind and the Expertise of a Dedicated Care Team
On Lok Lifeways’ physicians and medical specialists have experience with the unique challenges faced by chronically ill and disabled seniors. Participants are cared for by a select group of primary care and medical specialists from a panel of On Lok Lifeways providers. The physician is part of a care team that includes nursing, nutrition, social services, physical and occupational therapy, and recreational therapy. This interdisciplinary team meets regularly to review the participant’s health and wellness.
On Lok Lifeways and Institute on Aging professionals and staff members – from van drivers to medical specialists – are sensitive to the needs and changes of each participant’s health and emotional state. This comes from many decades of experience in senior care.
