Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Wednesday, December 24, 2025 OBITUARIES Subscribe to the Advocate Online! www.advocatenews.net PACE PROGRAM RECENT CHANGES medical professionals, it is the interdisciplinary team model of PACE that allows each member to maximize his or her potential to remain in the community and ensures that no one falls through the cracks. PACE is jointly funded by P ACE (Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), is a national comprehensive health program created to help elders remain at home as long as possible. While PACE is a valuable resource for many elders, not many family advisors are familiar with the program. There are presently 8 PACE programs in Massachusetts, each covering a different geographic area. The contact person for any of the programs will direct you appropriately based upon your address. You can also find additional information by going to the National PACE Association’s website at www.npaonline.org. In order to be eligible for PACE, applicants must be 55 years of age or more, live in a PACE service area and must be certified by the state as eligible for nursing home care but able to safely remain in the community with the additional supports PACE offers. Members must also agree to receive all health services exclusively through the Elder Service Plan. While many elders are initially hesitant to give up their primary care physicians or other Medicaid and Medicare. Medicaid and Medicare each pay a set rate per member per month. The Medicare rate is dependent on the diagnosis codes of each member. Each PACE program must offer a number of “core” services and may offer elective services based on the various needs of their members. This flexibility allows each program to customize individualized care plans designed to help each member maximize his or her potential. Interdisciplinary teams of doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, nutritionists, and other medical staff work together to provide primary medical care, home health, adult day recreation, rehabilitation services, transportation, medications, podiatry, optometry, dental, and social services. While the majority of PACE services are provided at an adult day center to encourage socialization and activity, services are provided in the home when appropriate. Some PACE programs, such as Harbor Health, offer residence in certain assisted living facilities. In these cases, the member pays a certain portion and PACE pays the difference. PACE members never pay more than their income to live in assisted living. If nursing home care becomes necessary, it is paid for by PACE and PACE continues to coordinate the member’s care, so long as the member resides in a PACE facility. MassHealth’s December, 2025 Eligibility Operations Memo 25-17 states that effective January 15, 2026, it will now follow Federal law which requires MassHealth to consider the income and assets of both spouses when determining eligibility of individuals applying for PACE. Married couples will now be subject to the current asset limit as is the case with nursing home eligibility. As of January 1, 2026, the community spouse can keep up to $162,660 in countable assets while the applicant can only keep $2,000 in countable assets. The most significant reason that PACE is appealing is that its primary goal is to provide each member with the individual supports needed to remain in the community as long as possible. With PACE, there is no 6 month deductible spenddown on medical expenses when monthly income for a single person is over $2,982 (300% of the federal benefit rate), unlike in the Frail Elder Waiver Program. PACE may not be for everybody but its benefits should at least be explored. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a master’s degree in taxation. Robert P. Wheeler Of Malden. Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 16th at Care One at Peabody at the age of 96. He was the devoted husband of the late Janet (Sorice) Wheeler. Born and raised in Boston, Bob was the son of the late Thomas and Helen (Dooley) Wheeler. A U.S. Navy veteran, he served his country during the Korean War with honor and dedication. After his service, Bob pursued his education, graduating from Northeastern University and Wentworth Institute. He went on to a career as an electrical engineer at Raytheon. Bob made Malden his home in 1960, where he created a life centered on family. Above all, Bob cherished his loved ones—his family was his greatest joy and source of pride. He is survived by his daughter, Sandra DeCristoforo and her husband Andrew; his son, Robert P. Wheeler, Jr.; and his cherished grandchildren, Evan, Haley and her husband Kevin, and Matthew and his wife Nune. Relatives and friends were invited to attend visitation in the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home, Saugus followed by a funeral mass in Blessed Sacrament Church, Saugus. Interment was private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org. Diane G. Carlan A lifetime r e side n t of Malden, passed away on Tuesday, December 15th, at the age of 85.Diane was born in Malden in 1940, the daughter of Robert and Gladys Fitzgerald.She was raised and educated in Malden, graduating from Malden High School with the Class of 1958.She went on to work for the City of Malden at the Malden Redevelopment Authority, a career that spanned over 40 years.In 1971, she married her sweetheart, Walter “Buzzy” Carlan, and the two settled down in Malden to raise their family. The two shared nearly 35 years of marriage until Buzzy’s passing in 2005.Diane will always be remembered as selfless, caring and completely dedicated to her family. She is survived by her son, John F. Carlan and his wife Jennifer of Norwalk, CT, her grandchildren, John F. Carlan, Jr "Jack", Aidan J. and Matthew F. Carlan, her sister-in-law Carol Fitzgerald, and her nephews Robert and Philip. In addition to her husband Buzzy, Diane was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Fitgerald Jr. A graveside service in Forest Dale Cemetery, Malden, will be held at a later date. Donations in Dianes memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Advocate Call now! 617-387-2200 advertise on the web at www.advocatenews.net
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