CONGRESSMAN BOUCHER ANNOUNCES $47,250 RECOVERY ACT GRANT FOR MOUNTAIN EMPIRE OLDER CITIZENS

Federal Funds Will Be Used to Equip New PACE Center

            (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Representative Rick Boucher announced today that, as a result of the Recovery Act approved by Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Rural Development Agency has awarded a grant of $47,250 to Mountain Empire Older Citizens (MEOC) to furnish and equip its new PACE Center, which provides a full range of services for seniors in Lee, Scott and Wise Counties and the City of Norton.

            "The federal funding announced today will enable Mountain Empire Older Citizens purchase furnishings and equipment for its PACE Center, which provides all-inclusive health care and social services to senior citizens in our region," Boucher said.

            With the benefit of the federal funds, MEOC will purchase furniture and equipment for the new PACE Center. The PACE (Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) program housed in the Center enables MEOC to be the single source for all care that is needed for senior citizens including primary health care, occupational therapy, and social services.

The PACE Center houses a medical clinic, rehabilitation clinic, personal care facilities, activity and dining areas, a caterers kitchen and staff offices.  MEOC's PACE Center is the first of its kind in a rural area in the United States. Previously, Congressman Boucher has announced $4 million in federal funding for construction of the PACE Center.

            "One of my highest priorities is ensuring that senior citizens in the Ninth District have access to the best possible health care service.  Mountain Empire Older Citizens provides excellent assistance to Southwest Virginia's senior citizens, and I am pleased that the Rural Development Agency will assist MEOC in providing care to the seniors in the region," Boucher concluded.

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