Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans (CCANO) officials celebrated their new Extended Services and hours to elderly and disabled adults on Dec 6. The day-to-day hours for services are now 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
CCANO is a local “Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly” (PACE). It is an affiliate ministry of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans operating the Shirley Landry Benson PACE Center at St. Cecilia at 4201 N. Rampart St. in New Orleans, and Hope Haven at St. John Bosco Alternate Care Center at 1131 Barataria Blvd. in Marrero.
Each center provides comprehensive health care services, which facilitate opportunities for elderly and disabled adults to experience a higher quality of independence as they live at home.
Hope Haven at St. John Bosco PACE Center offers participants access to care on the West Bank under the leadership of Executive Director Antonio Dias, Marjorie Hebert, M.S.C., PACE President and CEO and the board of directors.
CCANO worked with Louisiana Legislators and business leaders to access this valuable service for citizens of the eight civil parishes of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
CCANO officials presented awards of recognition and gratitude to State Senator John Alario, State Representative Patrick Connick, Joseph and JoAnn Toomy, John Hummel and Louisiana Department of Health’s Allison Vuljoin and Robin Wagner and others. They were commended for their outstanding work in accessing funds and support for the program.
John Hummel, past PACE Board of Directors chairman and other leaders were responsible for transforming the former St. John Bosco Catholic Church into the current Adult Day Healthcare facility. After receiving his recognition award he laughed and said, “I got to know the termites on a first name basis.”
Several legislators, directors, leadership teams and staff attended the Celebration of Extended Services.
Leila Marino was getting an early start in supporting charitable organizations as she accompanied her father, State Representative Joseph Marino.
Gretna Mayor Belinda Constant, Constable Wayne Nouto, Gretna Police Chief Arthur Lawson, Business Woman Wanda Laborie, Realtor Jack Stump, Physician Lionel Bourgeois and Jennifer Steel-Bourgeois, were members of the original, dedicated, supporters of the Hope Haven PACE Center attending the event.
Pierre Eskew, maintenance manager; Anthony Carter, certified nurse’s assistant (CNA) and maintenance engineer; Mary Marks, service coordinator for Christopher Homes/ affordable housing; several nurses, social workers and support staff members were a part of the hosting group who attended the celebration.
A video presentation provided samples of services that were provided to an in-home stroke patient. She and the therapist described the benefits provided by PACE’s occupational therapist and the resulting progress.
Catholic Charities is one of many interdisciplinary teams throughout the nation who provide and coordinate individualized health care. PACE services can be provided in the home, the PACE center and/or other community settings.
PACE Board of Directors include: Dwain Gannard, chairman of the board; Susan Nelson, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, medical director-post acute care; Paul Metoyer, New Orleans Council on Aging director; Jennifer Steel-Bourgeois; Joni Colvin; John Hummel, past president and Ex-Officio members: Lobna Ali, PACE Greater New Orleans medical director
PACE Greater New Orleans (GNO) services include adult day health care, transportation, medications, rehabilitation and restorative therapies, medical care, pastoral care, social services, activities and recreation, caregiver support, hospitalization, and nursing home care when needed and other specialty services tailored for each individual’s needs.
Hebert said, “Extending the hours at Hope Haven PACE has allowed Catholic Charities to continue to provide hope, help and loving care for the most vulnerable in our community. PACE’s new presence will further our mission of enhancing the quality of life and autonomy for older adults while maximizing their dignity and respect.”
The National PACE Association (NPA) promotes legislation that provides long-term care for older adults and those with disabilities. It fosters a fully integrated model of care which combines Medicare, Medicaid and private funds to provide a community-based option for adults who qualify for nursing-home levels of care.
NPA members were pleased with the announcement that U.S. Legislators had passed a unanimous voice-vote directing the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue a final PACE regulation that would provide “much-needed flexibility,” allowing PACE to grow faster and operate more efficiently.
NPA news announced, “The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation to increase PACE availability by passing the Comprehensive Care for Seniors Act (H.R. 6561).”
NPA attribute the approved legislation for extended services to a recognized need to support increased access to “Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly” (PACE). The final regulation is scheduled to become effective Dec. 31.
HHS was one of the departments that were not affected by the partial federal government shut-down.
For more information visit: www.pacegno.org, www.ccano.org, and www.npaonline.org or call the intake coordinator at 504.835.0006.
