Medical needs led Roberto Rodriguez, 67, to move from North Hollywood to Valencia, but he hasn’t found the services he needs in his new neighborhood. A new health center for senior citizens in Sunland might be what the former valley resident is looking for.
The 20,000-square-foot AltaMed PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) Center was inaugurated Oct. 24, which includes six exam rooms, physical therapy, social services, an on-site pharmacy and a recreation room that will host a variety of activities and meals. It is also equipped to collect blood and other samples, which will be processed at another facility, with the results being delivered to patients at the Sunland site.
Rodriguez, who has high blood pressure and requires an orthopedic bed for comfortable rest and sleep, was impressed with the new health center.
“It’s huge, clean, and has excellent staff – exactly what I want and need,” he said in Spanish after touring the facilities. Importantly for many older adults, the PACE center offers free transportation to and from clients’ homes.
“That was a deal clincher for me,” Rodriguez stated, noting that his current address is about 21 miles away, or a 20-minute drive. “I don’t want to get behind the wheel at my age and in my condition,” he added. He also expressed his gratitude for the center’s bilingual staff, who speak both English and Spanish.
Long Overdue
The new valley facility has been a long time coming, according to Castulo de la Rocha, president and CEO of AltaMed.
“I’ve wanted to do this for years,” he expressed. “Now, we finally have a presence in the valley, and I am thrilled to open our first site in Sunland.” When asked about the cost of opening the new facility, he did not provide a specific amount but said it was “in the millions” of dollars.
De la Rocha added that Sunland is among 18 PACE centers in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Together, they all reportedly serve over 5,200 seniors.
From East LA to the Valley
This marks significant growth since AltaMed established its first PACE program in East LA 30 years ago, originally running adult care centers. De la Rocha noted that there were already several well-established PACE centers in California by the time AltaMed entered the scene, but takes pride in the unique milestones the organization has achieved.
“We were the first in LA County to establish a PACE center,” he said, emphasizing that his nonprofit is now the largest PACE provider in the state of California.
To enroll in the program, participants must be at least 55 years old and require nursing-level care. All PACE participants, regardless of their insurance, must also meet additional criteria established by federal and state regulations. To qualify for enrollment, participants must reside within the service area of the Sunland center and be able to live safely in the community with the support of PACE services.
Health Coverage and Cost
The type of health coverage seniors have will determine the cost of receiving the services. Those with both Medicare and Medi-Cal will likely have no monthly premium for the long-term care portion of the PACE benefit.
Participants with Medi-Cal but not Medicare may be eligible for PACE at no cost, depending on the state and individual circumstances. Those who do not have either Medi-Cal or Medicare can choose to pay for the program privately.
PACE vs Adult Care Centers
Victor Estrada, PACE director at Sunland, said PACE centers are superior to adult care centers because they provide services from 11 medical disciplines. These include primary care physicians, occupational rehabilitation therapy and social workers.
“We also offer dental and vision services on-site,” added Estrada, who holds a bachelor’s in biology and a master’s in public administration and health care management from CSUN.
During the opening ceremony, Miriam Galicia, assistant vice president of outreach and marketing for the PACE program, emphasized that the centers have been instrumental in helping seniors with complex medical conditions avoid nursing homes. Instead, they provide the necessary care and services for these individuals to remain safe, comfortable and healthy in their own homes and communities.
“PACE is a program that allows older adults to live in their homes for as long as possible,” she said.
Hundreds of Patients
Esiquio Casillas, assistant vice president and chief medical officer of the PACE program, supported Galicia’s comments, adding that the Sunland facility will enable patients to “age in place and live with their families at home for as long as possible.” According to Casillas, the new center is expected to serve up to 400 clients.
One PACE client, Jose Perez, 72, shared his experience with the program. An accident while working as a painter in construction left him paralyzed, which led to depression. “I didn’t want to live anymore,” said the Mexican immigrant in Spanish.
Following his doctor’s advice and taking his medication as prescribed helped him recover. Now, with the aid of a cane, he can walk. Jose has been a PACE program participant for six years and enjoys spending time with his family, which includes four children and 12 grandchildren.
“I’m very grateful to the program,” he stated, adding, “I’m grateful to the Virgin Mary.”
A Councilwoman and a Mural
LA City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez welcomed AltaMed’s PACE program to her district, which includes the Sunland community. She stated, “It’s remarkable, and I’m so proud that AltaMed is establishing its presence here in the 7th District of the San Fernando Valley.”
The ceremony included a ribbon-cutting event, followed by the unveiling of a mural inside the center. Mexican artist Armando Brito spent months creating images that reflected his discussions with the center’s staff. They suggested featuring doctors in action, mariachis playing music, animals, seniors and other elements in the artwork. The mural, featuring vibrant shades of red, orange, blue and green, is titled “Las Huellas en los Caminantes,” which translates to “The Footprints on the Walkers.”
De la Rocha emphasized the importance of art in promoting both mental and physical health, particularly for seniors. “The arts are an integral part of people’s healing,” he stated.
The AltaMed PACE Center is located at 8800 Foothill Blvd. in Sunland.
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