PACE for Dementia and Alzheimer's: Help for Los Angeles Families
Leslie Kaz, RHU (CA Lic #0B32530), September 2026
In short
Many families caring for a parent with dementia want to keep them at home as long as it's safe. PACE was built for older adults who need a nursing-home level of care but can still live in the community with support. A federal report notes that almost half of PACE participants have dementia. (Source: ASPE, HHS) Whether PACE fits depends on your loved one's needs, their ZIP code, and the PACE organization's assessment.
How PACE can help a person living with dementia
- One care team. A PACE team of doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists and aides plans care together and adjusts it as needs change. (Source: CMS)
- A day center. Many participants spend time at a PACE center, where they can see the care team, get meals and therapy, and join supervised activities. (Source: ASPE, HHS)
- Transportation. PACE can provide rides to the PACE center and to appointments the team arranges. (Source: Medicare.gov)
- Help at home. Depending on the care plan, PACE can provide in-home support. (Source: Medicare.gov)
- Medications in one place. PACE provides prescription drugs, and the care team manages them together. (Source: Medicare.gov)
What PACE may not be right for
PACE requires that a person be able to live safely in the community when they enroll. If someone needs round-the-clock supervision that family and PACE services can't safely provide at home, the PACE team will talk with the family about other options, which can include nursing home care when medically necessary. (Sources: CalPACE; Medicare.gov)
Support for family caregivers
Caring for someone with dementia is hard. With PACE, a single team coordinates doctor visits, rides, medications and home help, so the family has one place to call. Ask the PACE organization what caregiver support and respite options it offers.
Questions to ask a PACE organization about dementia care
- How does your team support participants with memory loss at the day center?
- How much in-home help is typical for someone at my parent's stage?
- What happens if my parent's needs increase over time?
- Can my parent's neurologist or other specialists stay involved?
- What support do you offer family caregivers?
Frequently asked questions
Can someone with Alzheimer's join PACE?
Yes, if they meet PACE eligibility: 55 or older, living in a PACE service area, certified by the State as needing a nursing-home level of care, and able to live safely in the community when they enroll.
Does PACE cover nursing home care if it's needed later?
Medicare.gov lists nursing home care, when medically necessary, as a service PACE covers.
Where is PACE available in Los Angeles?
Several PACE organizations serve parts of Los Angeles County. Availability depends on ZIP code. See our Los Angeles PACE page or check your ZIP.
What does PACE cost?
It depends on Medicare and Medi-Cal status. See our PACE costs guide.
Caring for a parent with memory loss? Check their ZIP, then request a callback. Leslie can explain how PACE works for families dealing with dementia, at no cost to you.
About the Author
Leslie Kaz, RHU is a licensed California insurance agent specializing in Medicare and PACE programs, operating through Syndicated Insurance Agency, LLC (CA License #0B32530). Leslie works as an independent advisor with three PACE partners — WelbeHealth, myPlace Health (SCAN), and InnovAge — and guides families through ZIP matching and enrollment coordination at no cost to the family.
Compensation. Guidance is at no cost to families. If enrollment occurs through this agency with a partner PACE organization, the agency may be compensated by that organization — not by the family.
Service area. Availability of PACE depends on ZIP code, program service area, and final eligibility as determined by the PACE organization and the State of California.
Final eligibility and cost are determined by the PACE organization and the State of California. This website does not guarantee $0 cost or enrollment.