As the senior population grows, healthcare providers and policymakers are searching for ways to deliver long‑term care while allowing older adults to remain in their communities. One model that has gained significant attention is the Program of All‑Inclusive Care for the Elderly, commonly known as PACE.
PACE programs coordinate healthcare and social services for seniors who qualify for nursing home–level care but prefer to continue living at home. Instead of relying on disconnected providers, the program integrates medical care, therapy, transportation, and social support into a single coordinated system.
Behind every PACE program is a physical facility where much of that care takes place. These centers must be carefully designed and developed to support both healthcare delivery and daily participant activities. That process requires specialized real estate expertise, which is where a PACE developer plays an important role.
Capital Rivers Commercial is a developer helping bring these facilities to life in California, supporting the continued expansion of this healthcare model.
What Is the Program of All‑Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)?
The Program of All‑Inclusive Care for the Elderly is a healthcare model designed to serve adults aged 55 and older who require nursing home–level care but can safely remain in their community with the right support.
PACE programs coordinate medical care, rehabilitation, and social services through an interdisciplinary care team. Physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and other specialists collaborate to create a comprehensive care plan tailored to each participant.
Participants often visit a PACE center several times per week. At the center they may receive medical checkups, physical or occupational therapy, medications, and other clinical services.
PACE centers also provide meals, recreational activities, and opportunities for social interaction. These services help participants maintain both their physical health and their connection to the community.
Transportation is commonly arranged through the program so participants can travel safely to and from the center. In addition to services provided onsite, PACE organizations coordinate hospital care, specialist visits, and home care when needed.
The program began in San Francisco as a community‑based healthcare initiative and has since expanded into a national model of care. Today, PACE programs operate across many states and continue to grow as demand for community‑based senior care increases.
Why PACE Programs Are Expanding
Several factors are driving the growth of PACE programs nationwide. One of the most significant is the aging population. As more Americans reach retirement age, healthcare systems are looking for ways to provide long‑term care that supports independence while still delivering comprehensive medical services.
PACE addresses this challenge by combining healthcare, rehabilitation, and social services within a coordinated program. The model helps participants remain in their homes while receiving the level of care they need.
The program is funded through a combination of Medicare and Medicaid payments that are provided to PACE organizations on a predictable monthly basis. This structure allows providers to focus on preventive care and long‑term health outcomes rather than individual service billing.
California has become one of the leading states in the expansion of PACE programs. The state’s healthcare infrastructure and policy environment have created opportunities for new centers to serve communities with growing senior populations.
However, expanding PACE programs requires more than clinical expertise. Each program depends on a purpose‑built facility that supports the care model, making real estate development an essential part of the process.
The Role of a PACE Developer
Developing a PACE center is more complex than building a typical medical office or commercial property. These facilities must support clinical care, rehabilitation services, social programming, and transportation logistics within a single environment.
A PACE developer works with healthcare operators to deliver facilities designed specifically for these needs. This process often begins with identifying suitable sites that are accessible to the communities the program will serve.
Developers must also navigate local approvals, zoning requirements, and healthcare regulations. They coordinate with architects and healthcare planners to design facilities that support both medical operations and participant activities.
PACE centers typically range from approximately 15,000 to 30,000 square feet depending on projected enrollment and service area demographics. These facilities often include exam rooms, therapy areas, dining spaces, activity rooms, administrative offices, and transportation staging areas.
Throughout the project, the developer works closely with healthcare providers, contractors, and regulatory agencies. This coordination ensures the facility is ready to support the PACE program once operations begin.
Capital Rivers Commercial as a PACE Facility Developer
Capital Rivers Commercial is a California‑based real estate developer that has expertise in delivering facilities for the PACE healthcare model. Headquartered in Sacramento, Capital Rivers works with PACE operators to bring new centers online across the state.
The process often begins with site identification and feasibility analysis to ensure a property can support the operational needs of a PACE program. From there, Capital Rivers Commercial manages entitlement approvals, coordinates building design, structures project financing, and oversees construction.
One example of this work is the WelbeHealth PACE Center in Elk Grove. The facility was developed as a purpose‑built center designed to support medical care, therapy services, and community activities for participants.
Following completed projects, Capital Rivers Commercial is focused on partnering with additional PACE operators to develop new facilities and redevelopment opportunities throughout California. These projects help expand access to community‑based healthcare while strengthening the infrastructure that supports the PACE model.
Why an Experienced PACE Developer Matters
PACE programs depend on facilities that are carefully designed to support healthcare delivery, participant safety, and regulatory compliance. Because these projects operate at the intersection of healthcare and real estate, expertise in development services plays an important role in bringing them online successfully.
An experienced PACE developer understands the operational needs of healthcare providers as well as the regulatory and financial structures that govern these facilities. This knowledge helps streamline development timelines and reduce delays.
As PACE programs continue expanding across California and throughout the country, specialized developers will play an increasingly important role in building the infrastructure needed to support this model of care.
Summary
The Program of All‑Inclusive Care for the Elderly provides a comprehensive healthcare solution for seniors who require nursing home–level care but prefer to remain in their communities. Through coordinated medical services, therapy, and social support, PACE programs help participants maintain independence while receiving the care they need.
Each program depends on a dedicated facility designed to support the unique requirements of the PACE model. Developing these centers requires specialized expertise in healthcare real estate, regulatory navigation, and construction management.
Capital Rivers Commercial works as a PACE developer in California, partnering with healthcare organizations to design and deliver facilities that make these programs possible.
Explore PACE Development Opportunities
Organizations considering the launch or expansion of a PACE program often face complex real estate challenges. Site selection, regulatory approvals, financing, and construction all require specialized knowledge of healthcare facility development.
Capital Rivers Commercial works with PACE providers to guide projects from early planning through completion, helping operators deliver purpose‑built facilities designed for long‑term success.
To learn more about PACE facility development in California or explore potential project opportunities, contact the Capital Rivers Commercial team.
