“We will provide morning and afternoon snacks, as well as a noon meal,” Stevens said. “Various ways to stimulate mental and physical activity will include cards, dominos, crafts and low-impact physical activity.”

Stevens said he is optimistic about more PACE programs opening in Oklahoma.

“This is the first of four we are planning to do in the next seven years,” he said. “We plan locations in Stilwell, Muskogee and Claremore.”

To qualify for the program, participants must be age 55, be certified by the state as needing nursing home level of care, live in the program’s service area, and be able to be safely cared for in the community. Participation is open to all persons who qualify for the program, and all services are provided through Medicare and Medicaid.

Inpatient services, temporary nursing home and hospital care, and dental services are provided through partnerships with contracted providers. A participant does not have to be a citizen of the Cherokee Nation or Native American in order to qualify for care.

At the opening, Chad Smith, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, praised the mission at CEC.

“There are few things that I can share with you that bring more pride than projects like Cherokee Elder Care,” he said. “This will be a place for care and a place to laugh for the elders that come here.”

Learn more

To learn more about community PACE projects, go to http://www.npaonline.org/

Reach Keith Purtell at 918-684-2925 or Click Here to Send Email