Enable Seniors to Age at Home

Health care access

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The number of seniors in L.A. County is projected to grow by nearly 1,000,000 over the next 20 years, with the greatest growth among the oldest residents, age 80+. As the population grows frailer and requires more care, there will simply not be enough nursing homes to accommodate this demographic shift. Furthermore, most seniors want to remain living independently in their own homes. Without ongoing care, however, living at home for frail seniors can lead to isolation and neglect, as well as stress and burnout for family caregivers.
A June 2020 market analysis of the BCSC-West LA catchment area (85 adjacent zip codes from Mulholland Drive to the 105 freeway, Topanga Blvd. to the 710 freeway) found 9,247 individuals who would qualify for a skilled nursing facility under Medicare due to their age, disability and income. The vast majority of these residents – particularly low-income seniors - do not know that they may be eligible for a free program that enables them to age at home.

Grant funds will support outreach and marketing to educate and enroll frail, isolated seniors in BCSC. BCSC enables participants to live independently in their homes by providing comprehensive center- and home-based medical, therapeutic and social services. Participants get round-trip transportation to visit the 15,000 s.f. Center 1-3 times/week for socialization, meals, therapy, and medical appointments, and receive additional home care – all based on a Care Plan developed by an Interdisciplinary Team.
Any health or well-being service participants need – dentures, glasses, hearing aids, medications, mental health counseling, etc. – is included. If a service can’t be provided at the Center, the BCSC Team makes external appointments and provides round-trip, door-through-door transportation. If needed, nursing, therapy and other care is provided at home. All inpatient services (hospitalization, rehab, etc.) are also included and facilitated for participants. Physicians are on call 24/7.
BCSC-West LA is the only nonprofit “Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly” (PACE) serving Medically Underserved Areas in Inglewood, Leimert Park, South Central, Westlake, Boyle Heights, and other disadvantaged communities in Los Angeles. The other PACE sites serving the area are for-profit ventures. BCSC is a unique mission-based organization with a record of excellence that will build on the success of the West LA site to replicate in other underserved communities.

BCSC is a federally-designated “Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly” (PACE). Prior to opening BCSC in Reseda in 2013, there was only one other PACE in L.A. and none serving the San Fernando Valley. Our flagship site has grown to serve 330+ seniors and consistently exceeds statewide benchmarks for participant outcomes and high satisfaction rates. The CA chapter of the National Association of Social Workers selected BCSC as its 2021 Organization of the Year.
If we are successful, we will prove the replicability of BCSC and several Medically Underserved Areas will have a new, high-quality self-sustaining healthcare resource enabling 400+ seniors to age at home – reducing the strain on already understaffed nursing homes and family caregivers. This will set the stage for the expansion of four additional BCSC sites serving thousands of seniors throughout the region. LA County will be much better prepared for the growing influx of underserved seniors needing care.

Numerous research studies have demonstrated that, compared to comparably frail seniors, the PACE model results in:
Significantly lower risk of dying than in other home-based programs.
Reduction in hospitalization rates by 24% and rehospitalization rates by 16%.
Less than 1 emergency room visit per year on average. Cost savings of up to 42% compared to institutional care.
Despite caring for a population whose health conditions and frailty make them eligible to be in nursing homes, the COVID case rate for PACE participants in California was 1/4 that of nursing home residents.
BCSC closely tracks and reports quarterly on key performance indicators, such as hospitalizations, ER visits, falls, etc. We also have an annual satisfaction survey conducted by an independent evaluation consultant, which includes a 64-question survey and scripted in-person interviews that analyzes results across 11 domains of quality. BCSC consistently exceeds benchmarks and scores at the highest levels.