New Senior Center Proposed in Visalia

A proposed senior daily care facility across the street from the Visalia Mall would provide a multitude of social services and auxiliary medical services to seniors in the greater Visalia area. The existing 17,269-square-foot building at 2240 S. Mooney Blvd. in Visalia, currently the site of a Goodwill store, would be remodeled to accommodate the proposed facility.

The new project would bring a modern PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) facility and its associated services to Visalia. PACE individually coordinates the care of each participant enrolled in the program based on his or her needs as directed by an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals.

The goal of the innovative program is to improve the quality of life for seniors and to help them live independently in their home and community as their health and age advance. The company that will be operating the PACE facility was founded by mission-driven physicians with a commitment to serve the community's most vulnerable seniors with greater quality care and compassion.

PACE is a national program sponsored by the federal government, through Medicare, to enable individuals who are at risk of moving into a nursing home to continue to live safely in their homes and communities. Members must be 55 years or older, be eligible for nursing home-level care based on the State of California criteria, be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare (or be willing to use private insurance or pay privately), and be able to live safely in the community with PACE services.

Services Provided

The PACE model of care is built around an interdisciplinary team (IDT) which includes a primary care physician, nurse, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, recreational therapist, dietician, center director, transportation coordinator, personal care worker and home care coordinator.

Each participant is comprehensively assessed upon entry into the program, then twice a year thereafter, by the IDT. Based on the team's assessments, the senior's needs and problems are identified and integrated into an individual care plan. Enrollment in the PACE program is voluntary. A senior will stay enrolled as long as he or she wants to be regardless of changes in health status.

Once enrolled as a participant, the PACE provider coordinates all Medicare, Medical and other payments to the participant's care and service providers.

In addition to off-site services available 24/7, 365 days a year, the facility operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as a daily care center. PACE services are delivered to participants' homes in the community, and at the PACE facility, in order to help the senior live independently in his/her home and community.

On-Site PACE Services

The on-site medical benefits include: physician care, nursing, dentistry, rehab (therapy/exercise).

On-site care benefits include: rehabilitation therapies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and memory care.

Personal care includes hair care and nail care.

A 4,170-square-foot Great Room will allow for engagement programs where seniors can socialize with others, listen to music, participate in group exercise activities and enjoy cultural events and games. The 2,188-square-foot Dining/Day Room will host meals and nutritional counseling, and include a serving kitchen.

Social services will include connections to community resources, benefits support, counseling and psychological services, and guidance and support for participants and caregivers.

The project will employ 80 full and part time employees. Because of the combination of facility-based and home-based care, as well as care provided within the community, only half of the team members will be on site at any given time.

The project went through the city's site plan review process early this year. The next step is applying for a conditional use permit. If the permit is approved, the project moves on to a public hearing before the Visalia Planning Commission.

If all goes as quickly as possible, work will begin on the facility in the spring of 2023 and the new senior center could open as early as July 2024.