Elderly-care facility earns praise

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer

O'ahu residents who struggle with the prospects of placing their elderly parents in expensive nursing homes or hiring costly in-home nurses have a little-known alternative in the PACE Hawai'i facility at 1027 Hala Drive in 'Alewa Heights.

"They take care of everything. This is the best thing that's happened for us."

PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), is a state-sponsored, long-term care program for the elderly residing in Honolulu, Pearl City and 'Aiea. Although the program has been around since 1995, not many people know about it.

"People just don't know who we are, what we do or what makes us so special," said Audrey Suga-Nakagawa, director of PACE Hawai'i. "We provide almost a complete healthcare and social service support system under one organization. This is an alternative to nursing homes."

Suga-Nakagawa said PACE Hawai'i, which is part of the national PACE program, serves about 90 families but has room for up to 120 clients.

PACE clients spend the day at the facility, which is in the Maluhia long-term care center. PACE Hawai'i provides full-service healthcare for clients from 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays.

While PACE is not inexpensive — about $2,200 a month — it is far more affordable than putting a loved one in a nursing home. For those who qualify, Medicaid covers the costs.

Paul Masuoka, whose mother was a PACE client two months before she required full-time nursing home care, said he was shocked and pleased to find such an option.

"It's a whole, complete package," he said. "Practically everything is included — medications, vision care, dentures, hearing aids. They're even concerned about the caregiver. So they ask, 'What can we do to make your job easier at home?'

"This was kind of new to me. They sent a home care aide to bathe my mother three times a week. That was included. If you can't take them down or pick them up, they'll do it. That's included, too."

Suga-Nakagawa said PACE Hawai'i, the only organization of its kind in the state, gives people a means of keeping their elderly parents at home in familiar surroundings after they become frail and need healthcare.

"Our average client is 83 years old and has 11 medical diagnoses," she said. "They have very complex medical conditions, but they want to stay home and their families want them to stay home.

"It can be physically challenging for families to take them to the bathroom, or give them a shower and get them dressed — you know, their day-to-day functions. And this is where we come in."

Matsuwaki, who is 68, said she is grateful she found out about PACE Hawai'i.

"It's a wonderful program," she said. "I hope one day I'll be able to use it myself."

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8038.