Senior Care and Nursing Homes Tomorrow

Kandice Medina: St. Paul's Senior Services Nursing and Rehabilitation is an award-winning 59 bed center in the heart of Bankers Hill, which offers 24/7 nursing and excellent rehabilitative care. We offer individualized care plans from assistance with activities of daily living to physical speech and occupational therapy.

What sets us apart is our well-trained and professional staff. We serve with kindness and compassion, providing the highest quality care in San Diego. 

Richard: I feel confident that my, my wife is receiving loving care. I really can't speak too highly of the competence and dedication of the staff in this establishment. They're terrific. And it's all given with great cheer, big smiles and and freely.

John: At St. Paul's Senior Services, my mother has gotten a level of care that actually turned her health around. It's just been a good experience from a personal standpoint. That you can walk in, you see people smiling, always attentive, and it's just a really great atmosphere. And it's really great for us knowing that she's getting more care than just medical care.

Neill Meehan: At St. Paul's, we assist seniors in the healing process by helping to restore their independence. Our newly renovated therapy areas are bright and spacious. 

Jean: The physical therapy that I've had has helped me to be more mobile. St. Paul's therapy was wonderful to me. They helped me quite a bit. I've made so much progress. And I'm so proud of them and they're so giving and understanding that will wonderful work is here and  God bless them all 

Kandice Medina: Beyond therapy, we know that attending to mental, spiritual, and emotional needs is also important. There's a beauty salon onsite, a non-denominational chapel with several services, as well as peaceful outdoor areas for relaxation. 

Randy: St. Paul's has provided outstanding care for my mom and I, especially like the warm and welcoming atmosphere of all the staff here that work with her. I feel so much more confident and relaxed knowing that my mom is so well taken care of here at St. Paul's.

Kandice Medina: Come and see for yourself why St. Paul Senior Services Nursing and Rehabilitation is a leader in the industry of senior care.

Kandice Medina: St. Paul's Senior Services Nursing and Rehabilitation is an award-winning 59 bed center in the heart of Bankers Hill, which offers 24/7 nursing and excellent rehabilitative care. We offer individualized care plans from assistance with activities of daily living to physical speech and occupational therapy.

What sets us apart is our well-trained and professional staff. We serve with kindness and compassion, providing the highest quality care in San Diego. 

Richard: I feel confident that my, my wife is receiving loving care. I really can't speak too highly of the competence and dedication of the staff in this establishment. They're terrific. And it's all given with great cheer, big smiles and and freely.

John: At St. Paul's Senior Services, my mother has gotten a level of care that actually turned her health around. It's just been a good experience from a personal standpoint. That you can walk in, you see people smiling, always attentive, and it's just a really great atmosphere. And it's really great for us knowing that she's getting more care than just medical care.

Neill Meehan: At St. Paul's, we assist seniors in the healing process by helping to restore their independence. Our newly renovated therapy areas are bright and spacious. 

Jean: The physical therapy that I've had has helped me to be more mobile. St. Paul's therapy was wonderful to me. They helped me quite a bit. I've made so much progress. And I'm so proud of them and they're so giving and understanding that will wonderful work is here and  God bless them all 

Kandice Medina: Beyond therapy, we know that attending to mental, spiritual, and emotional needs is also important. There's a beauty salon onsite, a non-denominational chapel with several services, as well as peaceful outdoor areas for relaxation. 

Randy: St. Paul's has provided outstanding care for my mom and I, especially like the warm and welcoming atmosphere of all the staff here that work with her. I feel so much more confident and relaxed knowing that my mom is so well taken care of here at St. Paul's.

Kandice Medina: Come and see for yourself why St. Paul Senior Services Nursing and Rehabilitation is a leader in the industry of senior care.

Dr. Victor Lee: Hi! I'm Dr. Victor Lee. I'm one of the physicians here at St. Paul's PACE. Uh, want to give you a little background of what we do here at St. Paul's. St. Paul's PACE is a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly . We've been running San Diego PACE for close to 12 years, a little over 12 years. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive PACE program.

Like senior home care, medical, nursing, therapy, transportation activities, social work, and things like that to support them living at home as long as they can. That's what we do. We are experts in geriatrics and senior care, and we hope to see you in our program. Thank you.

Karen Lappas: Hi, I'm Karen Lappas. Geriatric nurse practitioner at St. Paul's PACE. Families asked me all the time, what makes our PACE program for elderly so different? All of the providers here in St. Paul’s PACE have worked with older adults and seniors and helped manage their chronic conditions, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, chronic dementia.

All of us are well-versed in taking care of these challenging patients with challenging diagnosis and we thrive as a team together, working together to take care of these patients.

And we'd love to hear from you. So, come join us.

St. Paul's PACE has incorporated telehealth services. In addition to speaking to patient and families, we can also speak to the home care department when they're in your home. It can simply show us any changes that have happened on your condition. And then we can quickly treat you and better triage you and determine if we need to see you that day or the following day.

It also helps keep you safe by keeping you in your home. We can determine what care is needed.

Alisa Isumi: Hi, I'm Alisa with the Enrollments Department. PACE stands for Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. And that is what we provide, all-inclusive care. So, if you are 55 or older, live in our service area and have chronic medical conditions, please give us a call today. We're here to help.

Dr. Victor Lee: Hi! I'm Dr. Victor Lee. I'm one of the physicians here at St. Paul's PACE. Uh, want to give you a little background of what we do here at St. Paul's. St. Paul's PACE is a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly . We've been running San Diego PACE for close to 12 years, a little over 12 years. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive PACE program.

Like senior home care, medical, nursing, therapy, transportation activities, social work, and things like that to support them living at home as long as they can. That's what we do. We are experts in geriatrics and senior care, and we hope to see you in our program. Thank you.

Karen Lappas: Hi, I'm Karen Lappas. Geriatric nurse practitioner at St. Paul's PACE. Families asked me all the time, what makes our PACE program for elderly so different? All of the providers here in St. Paul’s PACE have worked with older adults and seniors and helped manage their chronic conditions, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, chronic dementia.

All of us are well-versed in taking care of these challenging patients with challenging diagnosis and we thrive as a team together, working together to take care of these patients.

And we'd love to hear from you. So, come join us.

St. Paul's PACE has incorporated telehealth services. In addition to speaking to patient and families, we can also speak to the home care department when they're in your home. It can simply show us any changes that have happened on your condition. And then we can quickly treat you and better triage you and determine if we need to see you that day or the following day.

It also helps keep you safe by keeping you in your home. We can determine what care is needed.

Alisa Isumi: Hi, I'm Alisa with the Enrollments Department. PACE stands for Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. And that is what we provide, all-inclusive care. So, if you are 55 or older, live in our service area and have chronic medical conditions, please give us a call today. We're here to help.

10 News Anchor: Medical care for seniors can be difficult during the pandemic due to home isolation and transportation. But as ABC 10 news reporter, Steve Smith explains a much-needed PACE clinic in Encinitas has made life easier for seniors in the North County.

Steve Smith: St. Paul's PACE is a nonprofit that provides medical care for seniors, in home services for seniors and social worker for elderly for low-income seniors living with a chronic condition. 

Karen Lapas: Like diabetes, um, maybe they have chronic non-healing wounds. So, any of those patients that have Medicare and MediCal. Yeah. 

Steve Smith: But they found there was one major problem.

Karen Lapas: I've had a patient tell me they're from Oceanside. That they were going all the way downtown. When, when you're in your late eighties, that's a long trip.

Steve Smith: Locations downtown, Chula Vista and El Cajon, there was nothing serving seniors in the North County until now they newly opened PACE clinic in Encinitas.

Karen Lapas: What we've seen so far, is there a seniors up here that needed access to our pay services. And we were getting referrals.

Steve Smith: And now with the pandemic they've had to make adjustments, which means they can now provide care for those patients who don't feel comfortable leaving their home. 

Karen Lapas: Even with, you know, the pandemic, seniors are now more isolated. So, that's why it's so important to have a PACE program like this, to access those seniors. So, we not only will do home visits, um, van visits. We have our social workers that call the patients regularly to do wellness checks. 

Steve Smith: And now with this new North County location, medical care got a lot easier for seniors in need.

Karen Lapas: Senior 55 and above the goal is to keep them out of the hospital.

Steve Smith: In Encinitas, Steve Smith, ABC 10 News.

10 News Anchor: St. Paul's PACE says that they have close to 20 patients at the new Encinitas clinic who are showing major improvements due to better medication management and home care services.

10 News Anchor: Medical care for seniors can be difficult during the pandemic due to home isolation and transportation. But as ABC 10 news reporter, Steve Smith explains a much-needed PACE clinic in Encinitas has made life easier for seniors in the North County.

Steve Smith: St. Paul's PACE is a nonprofit that provides medical care for seniors, in home services for seniors and social worker for elderly for low-income seniors living with a chronic condition. 

Karen Lapas: Like diabetes, um, maybe they have chronic non-healing wounds. So, any of those patients that have Medicare and MediCal. Yeah. 

Steve Smith: But they found there was one major problem.

Karen Lapas: I've had a patient tell me they're from Oceanside. That they were going all the way downtown. When, when you're in your late eighties, that's a long trip.

Steve Smith: Locations downtown, Chula Vista and El Cajon, there was nothing serving seniors in the North County until now they newly opened PACE clinic in Encinitas.

Karen Lapas: What we've seen so far, is there a seniors up here that needed access to our pay services. And we were getting referrals.

Steve Smith: And now with the pandemic they've had to make adjustments, which means they can now provide care for those patients who don't feel comfortable leaving their home. 

Karen Lapas: Even with, you know, the pandemic, seniors are now more isolated. So, that's why it's so important to have a PACE program like this, to access those seniors. So, we not only will do home visits, um, van visits. We have our social workers that call the patients regularly to do wellness checks. 

Steve Smith: And now with this new North County location, medical care got a lot easier for seniors in need.

Karen Lapas: Senior 55 and above the goal is to keep them out of the hospital.

Steve Smith: In Encinitas, Steve Smith, ABC 10 News.

10 News Anchor: St. Paul's PACE says that they have close to 20 patients at the new Encinitas clinic who are showing major improvements due to better medication management and home care services.

Narrator: St. Paul's Senior Services has been serving the San Diego senior community for 60 years. During this time, generations of San Diego families have benefited from the programs and services provided by this award-winning organization. 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone. But especially organizations like St. Paul's Senior Services, who currently care for over 1600 seniors. Keeping them safe while continuing medical care for those with special needs. Providing meals and critical care services. In March of this year, St. Paul's super team of doctors and nurses came up with the idea of a Roving Clinic. A medical clinic that can drive into the community and care for seniors at home, rather than have the senior come into the PACE Medical Centers.

Dr. Victor Lee:  Frankly, it has been a game changer. When the pandemic hit San Diego, we knew we had to isolate and keep off participants who are very frail, with multiple medical problems from each other. We have to find a way to provide service at our home safely and conveniently. 

Carly Sullivan: Hi, my name is Carly and I'm a registered nurse here at St. Paul's PACE Clinic. This is the van that we're currently using for our Roving Clinic. Come on in. Okay. So as you can see here, this is the space that we're currently working with. What we would maybe need is some more lighting, an area to wash our hands and provide the care that we're currently providing in the Roving Clinic.

So, what we usually do is we have our equipment here. We're utilizing the bags now for storage. Ideally, we would love to have some storage on the Roving Clinic van. We could have some shelves to keep our supplies, make sure that we have proper protective equipment on the van. If we could move around better to assess the patients, that would be very beneficial and it really makes our patients here feel safe and secure inside the van. That way they're not exposed to anybody that they don't need to be exposed to. 

Julie: Hi, my name is Julie. I'm here to ask everybody to try to help us get a van. So, we don't have to get out in the cold weather. So, we need your help to get a van to help us see the nurses and doctors. 

Dr. Victor Lee: The Roving Clinic is the future of medical care here at St. Paul's PACE. Although, it has been a good resource during the pandemic, I think the future, and to continue in that direction. Right now, we reconfigure a van to serve this population. The van is small, it's a subtle van and we are able to queue care form in that way. The best way to do it is a professional van with the proper facilities, proper equipment so we can continue to provide excellent care for them. 

Narrator: Today, we're asking for your support for a new St. Paul's PACE Roving Clinic. This new vehicle will be designed with PACE is in mind, including a wheelchair lift and more diagnostic equipment. A second iteration of St. Paul's PACE Roving Clinic 2.0 means we can move successfully care for more of our frail seniors. Allowing them to stay in their homes.

Chery Wilson: Just as Dr. Lee has said, he and his team want us to be on the cutting edge of providing healthcare to our seniors. The Roving Clinics will do that. They will bring care to people and in an infection freeway. They will bring emergency care to people in their homes when they cannot leave their homes. They will be there for our seniors whenever they need us without having to leave the comfort and security of their homes. This is the future and we are proud to be a part of that. 

Narrator: Let's make the next version of the Roving Clinic for St. Paul's PACE a reality.

Narrator: St. Paul's Senior Services has been serving the San Diego senior community for 60 years. During this time, generations of San Diego families have benefited from the programs and services provided by this award-winning organization. 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone. But especially organizations like St. Paul's Senior Services, who currently care for over 1600 seniors. Keeping them safe while continuing medical care for those with special needs. Providing meals and critical care services. In March of this year, St. Paul's super team of doctors and nurses came up with the idea of a Roving Clinic. A medical clinic that can drive into the community and care for seniors at home, rather than have the senior come into the PACE Medical Centers.

Dr. Victor Lee:  Frankly, it has been a game changer. When the pandemic hit San Diego, we knew we had to isolate and keep off participants who are very frail, with multiple medical problems from each other. We have to find a way to provide service at our home safely and conveniently. 

Carly Sullivan: Hi, my name is Carly and I'm a registered nurse here at St. Paul's PACE Clinic. This is the van that we're currently using for our Roving Clinic. Come on in. Okay. So as you can see here, this is the space that we're currently working with. What we would maybe need is some more lighting, an area to wash our hands and provide the care that we're currently providing in the Roving Clinic.

So, what we usually do is we have our equipment here. We're utilizing the bags now for storage. Ideally, we would love to have some storage on the Roving Clinic van. We could have some shelves to keep our supplies, make sure that we have proper protective equipment on the van. If we could move around better to assess the patients, that would be very beneficial and it really makes our patients here feel safe and secure inside the van. That way they're not exposed to anybody that they don't need to be exposed to. 

Julie: Hi, my name is Julie. I'm here to ask everybody to try to help us get a van. So, we don't have to get out in the cold weather. So, we need your help to get a van to help us see the nurses and doctors. 

Dr. Victor Lee: The Roving Clinic is the future of medical care here at St. Paul's PACE. Although, it has been a good resource during the pandemic, I think the future, and to continue in that direction. Right now, we reconfigure a van to serve this population. The van is small, it's a subtle van and we are able to queue care form in that way. The best way to do it is a professional van with the proper facilities, proper equipment so we can continue to provide excellent care for them. 

Narrator: Today, we're asking for your support for a new St. Paul's PACE Roving Clinic. This new vehicle will be designed with PACE is in mind, including a wheelchair lift and more diagnostic equipment. A second iteration of St. Paul's PACE Roving Clinic 2.0 means we can move successfully care for more of our frail seniors. Allowing them to stay in their homes.

Chery Wilson: Just as Dr. Lee has said, he and his team want us to be on the cutting edge of providing healthcare to our seniors. The Roving Clinics will do that. They will bring care to people and in an infection freeway. They will bring emergency care to people in their homes when they cannot leave their homes. They will be there for our seniors whenever they need us without having to leave the comfort and security of their homes. This is the future and we are proud to be a part of that. 

Narrator: Let's make the next version of the Roving Clinic for St. Paul's PACE a reality.

Elden Thompson: Think very seriously about getting your vaccine.

Teresa Sardina:  How the vaccine rollout is impacting senior living.

CBS 8 Studio Anchors:  As we've seen time and time again, the pandemic has made life tough for San Diego's senior community, forcing them to adapt to change and tirelessly wait for the vaccine. News 8, Teresa Sardina reports from St. Paul Senior Services at Bankers Hill, and has more on how COVID-19 is impacting our senior population.

Teresa Sardina:  I spoke with the CEO of St. Paul Senior Services. She says the company's top priorities are safety and keeping seniors connected.

Ellen Schmeding: Our staff are the ones that are bringing in the virus.

Teresa Sardina: St. Paul's Senior Services at San Diego is currently vaccinating seniors and staff, and all departments, assisted living memory care , and independent senior living. Chief Executive Officer Ellen Schmeding says since September a handful of  senior residents tested positive for COVID-19. 

Ellen Schmeding: We have extreme measures at our front door to take temperatures. We have an electronic screening system. 

Teresa Sardina: She says there have been many challenges during the pandemic for both staff and residents. Seniors coping with separation from families, limited visitors and the uncertainty of the vaccine rollout.

Schmeding now sees some relief. St. Paul's Senior Services is registered with CVS Pharmacy and has held seven clinics as of this week. 

Ellen Schmeding: We were among the first to receive the vaccine on December 30th, and we were kind of a guinea pig at that point with CVS. It was challenging. I'll be honest. But there was a feeling of celebration in the air.

Teresa Sardina: This is residents, Elden Thompson, getting the COVID 19 vaccine at St. Paul's first clinic on December 30th. He says his experience reminds him of the polio outbreak. 

Elden Thompson: Yeah. I was one of the first people to get the vaccine. 

Teresa Sardina: So far, 70% of the company's staff has been vaccinated receiving both doses. 90% of their seniors have received the first dose. Now those 350 residents are waiting for their second shot.

Since COVID 19 cases have increased, visitors are not allowed indoors and socially distance outdoor visiting stations are set up. 

Ellen Schmeding: We just looked for ways to keep that connection going. It's the most important thing.

Teresa Sardina:  Schmeding says it's been a long time waiting to get these clinics set up. And it took a lot of collaboration between families, seniors, and staff, to get them educated on the vaccine and its side effects. 

For more in the story, we'll have it at cbs8.com reporting at Bankers Hill.

I'll send it back to you in the studio. 

CBS 8 Studio Anchors: Thanks Teresa.

Elden Thompson: Think very seriously about getting your vaccine.

Teresa Sardina:  How the vaccine rollout is impacting senior living.

CBS 8 Studio Anchors:  As we've seen time and time again, the pandemic has made life tough for San Diego's senior community, forcing them to adapt to change and tirelessly wait for the vaccine. News 8, Teresa Sardina reports from St. Paul Senior Services at Bankers Hill, and has more on how COVID-19 is impacting our senior population.

Teresa Sardina:  I spoke with the CEO of St. Paul Senior Services. She says the company's top priorities are safety and keeping seniors connected.

Ellen Schmeding: Our staff are the ones that are bringing in the virus.

Teresa Sardina: St. Paul's Senior Services at San Diego is currently vaccinating seniors and staff, and all departments, assisted living memory care , and independent senior living. Chief Executive Officer Ellen Schmeding says since September a handful of  senior residents tested positive for COVID-19. 

Ellen Schmeding: We have extreme measures at our front door to take temperatures. We have an electronic screening system. 

Teresa Sardina: She says there have been many challenges during the pandemic for both staff and residents. Seniors coping with separation from families, limited visitors and the uncertainty of the vaccine rollout.

Schmeding now sees some relief. St. Paul's Senior Services is registered with CVS Pharmacy and has held seven clinics as of this week. 

Ellen Schmeding: We were among the first to receive the vaccine on December 30th, and we were kind of a guinea pig at that point with CVS. It was challenging. I'll be honest. But there was a feeling of celebration in the air.

Teresa Sardina: This is residents, Elden Thompson, getting the COVID 19 vaccine at St. Paul's first clinic on December 30th. He says his experience reminds him of the polio outbreak. 

Elden Thompson: Yeah. I was one of the first people to get the vaccine. 

Teresa Sardina: So far, 70% of the company's staff has been vaccinated receiving both doses. 90% of their seniors have received the first dose. Now those 350 residents are waiting for their second shot.

Since COVID 19 cases have increased, visitors are not allowed indoors and socially distance outdoor visiting stations are set up. 

Ellen Schmeding: We just looked for ways to keep that connection going. It's the most important thing.

Teresa Sardina:  Schmeding says it's been a long time waiting to get these clinics set up. And it took a lot of collaboration between families, seniors, and staff, to get them educated on the vaccine and its side effects. 

For more in the story, we'll have it at cbs8.com reporting at Bankers Hill.

I'll send it back to you in the studio. 

CBS 8 Studio Anchors: Thanks Teresa.