PACE & Social Health

Social Health, Socialization in PACE

Social health plays a vital role in overall well-being, especially for older adults.

As Kasley Killam explains in her book "The Art and Science of Connection," meaningful social connections can help people live healthier, longer lives.

For many seniors, particularly those with frailty or chronic health conditions, maintaining these connections can be a challenge.

This is where PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) shines.

PACE is exceptional healthcare. And part of that healthcare is social health.

By creating a community space, engaging activities, and personalized care, PACE builds social interaction. This improves the quality of life for PACE participants.

What Is Social Health?

According to Killam, social health refers to:

our ability to form meaningful relationships, feel connected to others, and contribute to our communities.

For older adults, staying socially engaged is linked to better mental and physical health.

Social isolation, on the other hand, can lead to feelings of loneliness, depression, and even a decline in physical health.

For participants in PACE, many of whom are managing functional or clinical frailty, maintaining social connections is a key part of their overall health and happiness.

PACE: Exceptional Healthware With A Unique Focus on Social Health

PACE is an exceptional medical care provider— which includes social, emotional, and cognitive care.

The day centers provide opportunities for participants to interact, share meals, join group activities, and build friendships. This is created through the expertise and care provided by PACE recreational therapists.

These social opportunities are crucial for participants who might otherwise experience isolation because of mobility limitations, or limited access to outside communities. In plain language, "it's hard to get out of the house."

Testimonials from PACE participants echo these benefits:

"I feel like I have a new family here. I don’t feel lonely anymore."

"The activities keep me busy, but it’s the people who make me want to come back every day."

By fostering social connections, PACE helps participants experience a sense of belonging, which can have ripple effects on their overall well-being.

The Four Styles of Social Health

The recreational therapists of PACE tailor activities and experiences for participants' individual needs. In her book, Killam identifies four styles of social health, showing that people connect in different ways:

1. Butterfly: These individuals thrive in social settings and love meeting new people. They are often outgoing and enjoy group activities or events that allow them to move from one conversation to another.
2. Evergreen: Evergreens value deeper, longer-term relationships. They prefer smaller gatherings where they can strengthen their bonds with a close group of friends.
3. Wallflower: Wallflowers tend to be more reserved and might feel overwhelmed in large social settings. They still value connection but prefer quieter, one-on-one interactions.
4. Firefly: Fireflies enjoy bursts of social interaction but need time to recharge afterward. They like to participate in group activities but benefit from having downtime to themselves.

PACE excels at catering to all these styles, offering both group activities and individual connections through staff members, caregivers, and peers.

The Four Domains of PACE Activities

The highly trained recreational therapists at PACE centers focus on four key domains to engage participants and foster connection:

1. Cognitive: Activities like trivia games, reading clubs, and memory exercises keep the mind sharp and provide social opportunities as participants work together or share knowledge.
2. Physical: While PACE participants may experience functional limitations, there are still physical activities that encourage movement, such as tai chi, chair yoga, stretching, and light walking, often done in group settings that promote connection.
3. Emotional: Emotional well-being is supported through activities like group discussions, art therapy, karaoke and music sessions, which provide a space for participants to express feelings and share experiences.
4. Sensory: Sensory activities, such as gardening, aromatherapy, or tactile-based projects like crafting, help engage participants and encourage interaction in a soothing environment.

These activities are carefully designed to meet the needs of PACE participants while fostering social interaction, even for those who may have difficulty engaging in more traditional group activities.

5 Marketing Ideas for PACE’s Focus on Connection

To communicate the importance of social connection without using the term “social health,” PACE can incorporate these five ideas into its marketing campaigns:

1. Highlight Stories of Friendship: Share real stories from participants who have made meaningful connections at the center, emphasizing the sense of community and belonging they’ve found.
2. Show Group Gatherings: Focus on group activities where participants are engaging in crafts, discussions, or meals together, showcasing the fun and connection at the center.
3. Feature Family-Like Atmosphere: Emphasize how PACE centers offer a supportive, welcoming environment where everyone feels like family.
4. Promote Emotional Support: Highlight the emotional benefits of PACE, showing how participants feel understood, supported, and cared for by both staff and peers.
5. Talk About “Daily Connections”: Frame the daily social interactions and routine check-ins that PACE participants experience as an integral part of their care.

We can bring PACE to more people by simplifying, using stories, connecting emotionally and -- when appropriate -- using data.