It’s Wednesday afternoon and there is a festive energy at the Center for Elders' Independence (CEI) in Oakland. A musician is playing Latino music while people are dancing, talking or just enjoying the music. It’s a mixed group of Hispanics and other ethnicities who come to CEI every week for an energizing, social time. People are clearly enjoying themselves and the CEI staff makes sure no one is left out. Before the little fiesta, there was an exercise session led by CEI staff, who really engage guests in a caring, loving way. Most seniors here today at CEI are in the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which provides comprehensive medical and social services that enable seniors with multiple medical problems to remain living at home rather than in a nursing home facility.
There are more than 600 seniors in the PACE program at CEI, which has four centers in Oakland and Berkeley. PACE has been a life changer for many seniors and their families.
“It is a blessing,” says María Luz Accardo of Castro Valley. She brought her mother, Maria Mendez, into PACE and it has made a big difference in her joy of life.
“When we heard about the center, my mom did not want to go,” says Accardo. “She was tired all the time and did not want to go outside of her home. I have to go with her the first day and that was two years ago. Now she is very happy and she does not want to miss her time at the center.”
Like many working people with elderly parents, Accardo found it difficult to help her mother with her medical needs.
“My mother has arthritis, and when she got heart surgery we knew we needed help. We need to make the appointments and take her to the doctor and help her with medications and everybody in the family works - it is difficult.”
With PACE, it has made a big difference in the daily life of Accardo and her mother.
“She goes twice a week and it has no cost for us or her. They pick her up and bring her back home. They also take her to the doctor’s appointments and even make the appointments for her.”
Nicolas Regalado, 86, is an Oakland resident originally from Jalisco, México. He was dancing and enjoying himself at the Wednesday gathering at CEI. It was Regalado’s daughter who knew about CEI and first brought him to the center.
“I come to the center Wednesdays and Fridays about five hours each day,” he says. “My family does not have to be worry about anything, the personnel take really good care of me.”
Maria Mendez, 88, is an Oakland resident who came to the PACE program after having a heart surgery. The activity and community of PACE has renewed her vitality and energy.
“Before the surgery I was not feeling good, the doctors did not have much hope,” she said. “But my daughter brought me to CEI and now I feel very good. I feel like I am with family, the personnel take care of everything.”
Agatha Lovato, 87, was referred to CEI by a friend. Lovato says knew she needed help because she was not finding life very interesting.
Lovato lives by herself and she likes to socialize. The activities at the center keep her busy.
“I come two days a week and I talk with everybody, we sit together and enjoy lunch.” Before I was depressed but here we have a lot of fun, we dance and sing.”
At home, Lovato keeps herself very active.
“I like to dance and have friends visit,” she says. “I feel alive, no more nervousness.”
Though the fountain of youth is just a legend, Lovato and other PACE members are proof that community and physical activity can renew life energy. Many people were not feeling energized or happy until they got involved. It’s a positive reminder for all of us.