Media contact: Ryan Kanavy
315-413-3462 or [email protected]
Editorial note: PACE staff and participants available for interviews
Loretto Launches Telehealth for PACE Program Participants
Syracuse, NY (August 12, 2019) – Loretto’s Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly in Central New York (PACE-CNY) is now offering participants access to a doctor or nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year through ImagineMic, a new telehealth program. There is no additional fee for PACE-CNY participants to use this technology.
Individuals are equipped with an FDA approved disposable patch, which is placed on their chest and streams real-time data to a Monitoring Intervention Center (MIC) – a location staffed with physicians and nurses. It monitors EKG, respiratory rate, oxygen levels, skin temperature, heart rate, and it can also detect falls. The network analyzes the data received in real-time to provide predictive insight to help clinicians develop a treatment plan. If immediate attention is necessary when participants are not at a PACE Center, they have mobile access to a virtual audio/visual consultation with a doctor or nurse using either an iPhone, iPad or Android device.
Peace of Mind
“The addition of ImagineMIC, a device with real-time health monitoring and 24/7 access to a physician, can be a home-based solution for many. This enhanced level of oversight keeps PACE participants in optimal wellness while they are away from the PACE Centers,” said Stephanie Button, Vice President of PACE-CNY. “It also gives family, friends, and caregivers peace of mind and minimizes hospital and emergency room visits, as some health issues can be identified and treated through the telehealth system.”
As of July 15, Loretto had 19 PACE-CNY participants enrolled in the ImagineMIC program and using the equipment in their homes, with 17 more signed up to begin.
“Joining the PACE-CNY team has been one of the best professional decisions of my career,” said Suzanne M Lamanna DO, Community Physician for PACE-CNY. “As a Primary Care Physician, one of my practice goals is to help my patients stay at home through their ‘senior years’ – The comprehensive care from Loretto and PACE-CNY helps achieve that goal by ensuring the medical, social and spiritual needs are met for each participant.”
Work With Your Own Caregiver
PACE-CNY offers home care and community services, activities at center locations, and transportation to PACE-CNY activities, outside doctor appointments and other activities. PACE-CNY also works with Medicaid’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), which allows consumers to recruit, hire, train, supervise, terminate and direct their own home care workers (including family, friends or neighbors).
A PACE participant may have personal assistants from the CDPAP, PACE-CNY home health aides, or a combination of both completing the tasks needed for a comprehensive care plan. If you or a loved one are interested in the PACE-CNY Program, visit www.pacecny.org or call 315-452-5800.