Unique care program gives couples the support they need to keep romance alive

With financial, medical, emotional and logistical challenges threatening to break elderly couples apart, there is a growing need for quality care programs. Today, thirteen married couples and several unmarried couples in the Bay Area are enrolled in a special care program that makes it easier for frail seniors to manage their needs and continue to have quality time together.

These happy couples are part of the more than 600 seniors in the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) at the Center for Elders’ Independence (CEI), which has four centers in Oakland and Berkeley. Many couples care for each other for a time, but then reach a point where they need more support to handle their spouse’s declining health. CEI's PACE program 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.

Couples in the PACE program are looking forward to being together on Valentine’s Day and are very grateful to CEI for helping to make it possible. CEI participants Darlene and Celestino Aragon went out on two dates and then got married. That was 50 years ago. Before enrolling in CEI’s PACE model of care, the Aragons, like many seniors, did not see a doctor regularly, even though they had multiple medical problems. They relied instead on emergency care, with an array of doctors and medications, no care management, and little understanding of their medical condition and the best way to treat it. Once she came to PACE, Darlene’s first medical assessment immediately revealed that she had high blood pressure and diabetes. Darlene says that CEI is different from other health care providers that she and Celestino have used.

“At CEI, we’re being seen and cared for,” she says. “The doctors and nurses talk to us. They tell us what we’re going through and what we need to do to get well. I’m so glad that they take charge of my health and support me.”
Celestino agrees. “When I had my stroke CEI picked me up from the hospital and took me home. Then they called every day and asked how I was doing; other doctors wouldn’t do that.”

The PACE model of care delivery is offered by 97 organizations in 31 states. Policy experts hail PACE as the ‘gold standard for geriatric care’, providing eligible participants all the services that result in improved quality of life for frail, low-income seniors. CEI participants receive a customized care plan that includes medical care, transportation, prescription medicines, home care, day centers, rehabilitation and more.

Neftali Flamenco is very proud of Edith, his wife of 36 years. Holding hands, they both recall the early days of their marriage. “She was my miracle, she spoiled me and made me fat,” he says.

Edith worked as a housekeeper for many years until her knees and elbows could no longer handle the work. Then Neftali’s construction job began to take a hard toll on his body. Edith used to take care of her husband when he came home from work, but she said that at some point, “I just couldn’t help him anymore. He can’t work and I can’t help him, it was too sad for me.”

Three years ago, a friend referred them to CEI and they could not believe their good fortune. They both feel so much better with treatment and attention to their health conditions. With huge smiles, the Flamencos are eager to praise their experiences at CEI.  Edith sums it up with, “everything is perfect, they help us with everything in our life. They help me feel better, not sad anymore, and teach me what is happening with my body. With their help, now I am learning the treatments and doing physical therapy.”

Neftali agrees. “I can breathe now and walk around easier,” he says. “I like the help we get at home so Edith is not hurting anymore trying to do the laundry. This is our place, like home, they listen and we love coming here together. We have life now, not sadness or worry.”

The PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) model of health care is a national long term care program that is a permanent Medicare benefit. CEI operates three PACE centers in Oakland and one in Berkeley, serving frail seniors from El Sobrante and Richmond to Hayward. For more information, visit cei.elders.org or call 510-433-1150.