The Good Life - Travel, Leisure & Fun for South Valley Adults

Plans to transform the Goodwill store at 2240 S. Mooney Blvd. in Visalia into a senior daily care facility have been changed.

Instead of remodeling the existing Goodwill store across the street from the Visalia Mall, planners are now looking to build a new facility at the east end of the Visalia Business Park at the northeast corner of Ben Maddox Way and Tulare Avenue in Visalia.

The reasons for the change in location were not specified. City officials said that things simply didn't work out between the developers and the property owner.

The proposed 24,975-sq. ft. senior care "PACE" facility would provide a multitude of social services and auxiliary medical services to seniors in the greater Visalia area. The project is estimated to cost $5 million.

The PACE Program

PACE, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, individually coordinates the care of each participant enrolled in the program based on his or her needs as directed by an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals. The goal of the program is to improve the quality of life for seniors and to help them live independently in their homes and community as their health and age advance.

PACE is a national program sponsored by the federal government, through Medicare, to enable individuals who are at risk of moving into a nursing home to continue to live safely in their homes and communities.

Members must be 55 years or older, be eligible for nursing home-level care based on the State of California criteria, be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare (or be willing to use private insurance or pay privately), and be able to live safely in the community with PACE services.

Services Provided

The PACE model of care is built around an interdisciplinary team (IDT) which includes a primary care physician, nurse, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, recreational therapist, dietician, center director, transportation coordinator, personal care worker and home care coordinator.

Each participant is comprehensively assessed upon entry into the program, then twice a year thereafter, by the IDT. Based on the team's assessments, the senior's needs and problems are identified and integrated into an individual care plan.

In addition to off-site services available 24/7, 365 days a year, facilities operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as a daily care center. PACE services are delivered to participants' homes in the community, and at the PACE facility, in order to help the senior live independently in his/her home and community.

Benefits Offered

On-site medical benefits include physician care, nursing, dentistry, and rehab (therapy/exercise). On-site care benefits include rehabilitation therapies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and memory care. Personal care includes hair care and nail care.

The proposed 24,975-square-foot senior care facility replaces plans to remodel the existing 17,269-square-foot Goodwill store at 2240 S. Mooney Blvd. in Visalia.

Social services will include connections to community resources, benefits support, counseling and psychological services, and guidance and support for participants and caregivers.

A 4,032-square-foot Great Room will allow for engagement programs where seniors can socialize with others, listen to music, participate in group exercise activities and enjoy cultural events and games. The 3,394-square-foot Dining/Day Room will host meals and nutritional counseling, and include a serving kitchen.

The project is expected to employ more than 100 full and part-time employees.

The project is currently going through the city's site plan review process, but no problems are expected.

"We went through the process with the Mooney location," said Josh Dan, associate planner with the City of Visalia. "It's the same process, so they should be able to go through it pretty smoothly."