City of Seattle joins AiPACE to help elders age in place
From left: Mika Kurose Rothmann, Senior Deputy Mayor Michael Fong, Tagoipah Mathno, Ruthann Kurose, Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan, Ron Chew and Heidi Wong.
The Seattle City Council approved $1 million to construct a new senior care facility on North Beacon Hill. This is a major milestone adding to the $4.5 million state appropriations towards the $20 million goal for Aging in PACE Washington (AiPACE), a joint partnership between International Community Health Services (ICHS) and Kin On Health Care Center (Kin On).
A successful campaign will result in a 25,000-square-foot senior care facility built on the vacant north parking lot of the Pacific Medical Center as part of a larger development to include 262 units of affordable housing and an early childhood center.
Paul Mar | AiPACE capital campaign co-chairWe’re grateful that the city has come on board in helping seniors age with dignity in their community. Having the option to age at home is something we want for every senior, myself included!
AiPACE will provide integrated health care to allow seniors to “age in place” while delaying or preventing the need for institutional care. Participants and their caregivers receive easy access to preventive, primary, long-term care, and support services. Studies have shown that participants in this care model report being happier, healthier and more independent than their counterparts in nursing homes.
“As our city continues to address the challenge of affordability, it’s crucial that we make investments that allow our senior neighbors to remain in the communities they’ve known,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan. “Our elders enhance the vibrancy of our community and help to impart the deep cultural knowledge of our neighborhoods and region. I’m delighted that we can support this vital program.”
The $1 million city award towards creating home and community-based senior services is especially timely as our region faces a crisis in elder care. The latest statistics show that over 19 nursing homes in Washington have either closed or announced closure within the last three years.
“With partnership from public and private funders, AiPACE aims to lead the way in revitalizing elder care for our region and beyond,” commented Martha Choe, AiPACE capital campaign co-chair.
For more information about AiPACE, please contact Heidi Wong or call 206.788.3585.