SERVING MONTROSE AND DELTA COUNTIES

Senior CommUnity Care of Colorado

Last modified on September 18th, 2023 at 07:15 pm

WELCOME TO SENIOR COMMUNITY CARE

Senior CommUnity Care offers healthcare and other services to support individuals over the age of 55 who need assistance to continue living comfortably and independently in their own homes. We are a provider of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and the first to operate in Western Colorado.

Senior CommUnity Care PACE is for:

  • Seniors who want to live at home but need support.
  • Caregivers caring for elders living at home.
  • Health professionals who want to help elders living at home remain at home.

Mission and Values

The Senior CommUnity Care PACE mission is to enhance the quality of life and independence for frail, older adults by providing services, which help them stay in their community and in their own residence.

Our Values focus around:

• Extraordinary Care
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Mutual Respect
• Supporting Dignity of Each Individual
• Honest Communication
• Confidentiality
• Individual Choice and Preferences

The PACE Philosophy: Supporting Independence

The mission of Senior CommUnity Care PACE is to help you live safely in the community and your own home as long as possible. To meet this goal, PACE organizations focus on preventive care and collaboration with your care team.

Senior CommUnity Care is one source for all your care.

When you enroll in the Senior CommUnity Care program, we provide and are responsible for all of your care, which is provided to you at no premium if you are both Medicare and Medicaid eligible, and the service is approved by the IDT. Let us help you determine if you qualify. However, you may be financially responsible for any care you receive outside the program that is not approved by the PACE interdisciplinary team (except in an emergency).

Leadership

Keith Howell

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Keith Howell is the Executive Director of Senior CommUnity Care PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) and oversees the program with sites in Montrose and Delta Counties. He has been a resident of the Western Slope since 2010. Keith graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a Master of Science degree in Healthcare Administration and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management from Bellevue University. Keith has been with Senior CommUnity Care / Volunteers of America since 2010.

Cara Helmick

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PACE CENTER OPERATIONS, ECKERT

Cara Helmick is the Center Director of Senior CommUnity Care (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) and oversees the program in Delta County. Cara is a Delta County native and is honored to work for VOA serving her home community. Cara earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver in 2012 and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She joined SCC in 2013 as a staff social worker before taking the role as Center Director in 2019.

Terrica Garrison

CLINICAL CARE DIRECTOR

My name is Terrica Garrison and I am the Clinical Care Director for SCCCO PACE. I have worked for PACE for 9 years and have enjoyed working towards PACE’s mission and vision to aide in our Communities’ health. As the Clinical Care Director, my primary responsibility is to oversee the functions and efficiencies of clinical services including the Nursing Services Department, Home Care Services, Dietary Department and Therapy Department. I am so thankful and proud of the employees we have providing high quality care and services to our participants, promoting healthy lifestyles and quality of life.

I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and my Registered Nurse training through Colorado Mesa University. I have worked as a school nurse but gained most my nursing experience working for Delta Health on the Med-Surg floor. During school, I received the Florence Nightingale award which is awarded to the nursing student who demonstrates the values and dedication to the nursing profession. This was an honor and the kickstart to my love for nursing. While working for PACE, I have been awarded Employee of the Month as well as working hard to climb the ladder to hold a leadership position within the organization.

Outside of work, my family and I love to be outside. I have a husband and two boys, ages 5 and 3, who keep life so full and exciting. Showing livestock, particularly goats and sheep, at a high level consume most of our time. I love doing chores as a family and teaching my boys how respect of the animal and hard work will pay off. When not in the barn, we love to go boating, camping or hang out in the mountains.

Dr. Caroline Schoo

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Board Certified in Family Medicine, and Completed Geriatric Fellowship 2023.

Gold Humanism Honor Society.

FAQS

PACE stands for “Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly.” PACE is a comprehensive, coordinated health care program sponsored by Medicare, Medicaid and private funds.

To participate in PACE, you must be:

  • At least 55 years old;
  • Eligible for nursing facility level of care;
  • Able to live safely at home and in the community with support at the time of enrollment; and
  • Live in the Senior CommUnity Care of Colorado Service Area.

All prescription and non-prescription drugs, along with all office visits approved by the interdisciplinary team, are covered 100 percent by Senior CommUnity Care PACE. As long as you are enrolled and receive all services with Senior CommUnity Care PACE, you will never experience an out-of- pocket cost for services, including drugs, that are approved by the interdisciplinary team.


Senior CommUnity Care PACE has an expert team of enrollment specialists to help you through the enrollment process.

In Delta County, contact Briana Brozina at 970.417.1194 or email at bbrozina@voa.org.

In Montrose County, contact Courtney Whitney at 970.640.1726 or email at cwhitney@voa.org or you can call at 866.961.1451 for general information.

No. The goal of PACE is to keep older adults living safely at home. Participants can visit the PACE center on weekdays.

You are free to disenroll from PACE at anytime and resume your benefits in other Medicare and Medicaid programs. Your voluntary disenrollment will be effective on the first day of the month following the date we receive your request to disenroll.

Senior CommUnity Care PACE makes sure you have the access to care you need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You will never be without access to assistance, day or night. Our registered nurses, physicians and center administrators are only a phone call away. You have the right to get emergency services when and where you need them without VOANS Senior CommUnity Care of Colorado’s approval.

In many cases, participants retain their primary care physician as Senior CommUnity Care PACE contracts with many community physicians in Delta and Montrose counties. Participants can also utilize the PACE physician if you prefer or do not currently receive services from a physician.

Senior CommUnity Care Pace is designed to utilize Medicare and Medicaid funds to provide Coordinated Healthcare, Social Engagement, Medication Management, Transportation, In-Home Assistance and other Specialty care options. We can assist you in the application process for Medicaid.

A PACE organization may not charge a premium to a participant who is eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, or who is only eligible for Medicaid.

A PACE organization may charge a premium to a participant who is only eligible for Medicare.

There is also a private pay option for participants who are not eligible for either Medicare or Medicaid.


The amount that a PACE organization can charge a participant as a monthly premium depends on the participant’s eligibility under Medicare and Medicaid. The PACE organization will provide a description of participant premiums, if any, and procedures for payment of premiums during the enrollment process.

  • IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID: no premium to the participant.
  • IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID: no premium to the participant.
  • IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE ONLY: participants pay the Medicaid premium plus Medicare Part D.
  • IF YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE OR MEDICAID: participants pay the self-pay rate.

Call 1.866.961.1451 to get answers to all your questions.

H2815_SCCCO Website 1

Skip to content