PACE is "Red Carpet Experience" for Participant Anthony Taraschi
June 12, 2024
Categories: Blog Post
Father/Daughter Duo Share their Story
“They treat me like a king! You wouldn’t believe how nice the people are – they’re phenomenal!”
Anthony Taraschi, 82, Mercy LIFE participant feels like royalty since he enrolled in PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) in December 2023. His daughter, Lisa, is a Community Liaison at the same program. PACE is known as LIFE ( Living Independence for the Elderly) in Pennyslvania and other states.
“Dad had a fall – that’s how it started. He ended up in the hospital. I wanted people who could be my back up team taking care of him, since my mom passed away about three years ago. There was nobody to take her place, so I suggested trying the LIFE program and letting him see how it all works,” Lisa said.
With 15 years in the industry and beginning as a care manager, Lisa knew that one fall can lead to another and negatively impact the health of seniors. She described how the LIFE program has a number for participants to call 24/7 where they have access to a team of experts.
“We have hospitals and all the doctors etcetera, but it’s different when you have one number to call, and they help you make decisions on what to do next.”
Anthony has seen doctors and specialists within two months, and he goes to the LIFE center every Friday. The center serves as a “one-stop shop” with nurses, primary care physicians, recreational therapists, physical therapists, and more.
Lisa mentioned how much they appreciate the ease of getting things taken care of right away:
“They’re always trying to do something for him.”
Anthony grew up in South Philadelphia in a close-knit community where everyone knew everyone. His grandfather had a butcher shop, and Anthony began working there at the age of 10. He would deliver meats on his bicycle, and he eventually became a butcher himself after learning and working in the store. He reminisced about hanging meats and how he enjoyed being part of the family business for over a decade.
“When I went to physical therapy at the center, they said my knees were bad. Since I was a butcher and I worked in the cold, I have arthritis. The physical therapist said I needed a chair to go up and down the stairs at home,” Anthony said.
Lisa shared how the process of having the sliding chair installed was easy with the help of the Mercy LIFE team. She added that with the stair glide, she rarely hears her dad complaining so much about his pain. In addition, his physical therapist has helped him heal.
“The physical therapy helps with ankle and knee pain. He can go out and about in the day,” Lisa said.
Anthony enjoys visiting the center and socializing with other participants and the care team.
“I talk to everyone, I’m friendly with everyone. I was there last week, and someone told me that I might be old, but I dress sharp, like a young guy,” Anthony said.
Mercy LIFE work closely with caregivers, and Lisa speaks directly to this partnership:
“I’m glad he’s safer and we have a team of people who care. It eases my pain every day, knowing that I don’t have to worry,” Lisa said.
Mercy LIFE is one of our 13 PACE programs coordinating full-spectrum care for participants with the goal of keeping seniors independent and living at home longer. Learn if you or a loved one qualifies for PACE.