Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
PACE is a federally funded program for anyone aged 55 years or older who is also eligible for Medicaid or Medicare. The goal of this program is to allow seniors to remain in their own home as opposed to entering a nursing home.
Certified PACE organizations provide various levels of care, from in-home to nursing facilities and specialized centers, as well as various services such as primary care, meal delivery and prescription drugs.
This program does not directly cover all services associated with assisted living. However, it may help to pay for certain aspects of care in an assisted living facility.
Applicants for PACE must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- At risk of being institutionalized
- Residing in a PACE-designated area
- Can safely live in the community (not necessarily living alone)
Find out more about the eligibility and application process at the
Florida Department of Elder Affairs website. Alternatively, residents of Deerfield Beach can contact the Broward County branch of PACE in Miramar at (954) 441-7079.
Optional State Supplementation (OSS) Florida’s Department of Children and Families provides this program that may help low-income seniors pay for certain aspects of assisted living. The
OSS is designed to help people who can no longer live independently and require assistance on a regular basis.
Unlike the Medicaid plan and waivers, OSS is intended to help with the cost of room and board and other out-of-pocket expenses. The maximum monthly payment for an individual is $78.40, and for couples, it’s $156.80.
Applicants for the OSS program must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Minimum 65 years of age (or disabled if under 65)
- Legal resident of Florida
- Assessed by a case manager as needing a nursing facility level of care
- Maximum income of $752 for an individual ($1,504 for a couple)
- Assets at or below the maximum allowed for Medicaid ($2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple)
A case manager will usually make the application for OSS. Alternatively, seniors or their caregivers can apply through the
ACCESS Florida website or call 1-866-762-2237 for more information.