What is Cherokee Elder Care?

The elderly represent a growing and vital resource in our communities that may need an added level of care. Cherokee Elder Care was created to work in conjunction with the community, state and federal government to provide this specialized care to northeastern Oklahoma. Cherokee Elder Care is the first PACE program in the state of Oklahoma and the first PACE program to be sponsored by a Native American tribe. Additionally, it is one of 15 rural PACE sites in the nation. It represents a team effort to increase the availability and quality of services, facilitate their timely delivery and enhance the lives of elderly persons by assisting them to remain in their homes as long as possible.

What is a PACE program?

PACE (Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a federal program designed to keep elders living in their homes, connected with their communities and out of nursing home facilities. The PACE center combines the services of an adult day health center, primary care office, and rehabilitation facility into a single location. Services include but are not limited to primary care, rehabilitation, prescription medication, meals/nutritional counseling, respite services, caregiver training, home health and transportation. Utilizing an inter-disciplinary team (IDT) comprised of physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, therapists, social service workers, dieticians, and transportation specialists, the total needs of the elder can be addressed. This provides an all-inclusive and comprehensive continuum of care designed to maintain and ideally to improve the quality of life for our elderly. All services are provided through Medicare and Medicaid. Inpatient services (temporary nursing home and hospital) and dental services are provided through partnerships with other providers.

Meet Your Team

Our participants are enjoying the benefit of PACE’s unique team-based approach to care which results in dramatically reduced hospitalization rates, fall rates, and positive health outcomes.