By Dr. Ben Lui, Chief Medical Officer at On Lok
At On Lok PACE, we are committed to provide comprehensive, person-centered care to older adults, helping them live the life they want. As On Lok's Chief Medical Officer, I take great pride in collaborating with a team of geriatric specialists dedicated to this mission.
On Lok created PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) to help older adults age safely in their communities by providing comprehensive medical care, home care, transportation, and more. All On Lok PACE primary care providers are specially trained in geriatrics, with many holding advanced certifications.
Geriatrics focuses on the complex needs associated with aging. Older adults often face multiple chronic conditions, cognitive challenges, functional limitations, and psychosocial factors that impact their well-being. Geriatricians undergo extensive training beyond internal medicine or family medicine residencies, completing specialized fellowship programs that deepen their expertise in dementia, Parkinson's disease, pain management, and advance care planning, to name a few. Our medical team includes graduates from institutions such as Harvard, Yale, UCSF, Stanford, John Hopkins, and Brown, serving our participants with the highest level of expertise in senior care.
The health issues of older adults are rarely isolated, and a single symptom might reflect the interaction of multiple body systems. That's why geriatricians play a crucial role in coordinating care- whether it's processing recommendations from multiple specialists, or aligning care plans with a patient's personal goals.
Through our interdisciplinary teamwork and the care services we deliver at our PACE centers, in the home and via telehealth, we can identify and address health risks early. For example, we can detect subtle changes in a participant's gait before a fall occurs. By integrating physical therapy interventions to improve mobility, we can help prevent serious complications.
Unlike traditional primary care models, PACE physicians manage only 80 to 100 participants each- far fewer than the 1,000-patient panels common in typical primary care practices. This allows for more focused, personalized care. The impact is evident: On Lok PACE participants visit emergency departments at significantly lower rates- about 280 visits per 1,000 people annually compared to 326 visits for the Medicare HMO population.
As we celebrate National Doctor's Day, I want to recognize the dedication of our On Lok medical team. Their unwavering commitment to senior care continues to transform lives, allowing older adults to thrive with dignity and support in their communities.
