RIVERVIEW, Fla. — Tampa PACE is bringing its health and wellness care to two RV parks hit hard by flooding during Hurricane Milton.
Partnering with Metropolitan Ministries, PACE at InnovAge will provide hot meals, wellness checks and light mental health care for residents of the Hidden River RV Park in Riverview and the Sundance Lakes RV Resort in Pasco County on Friday and Saturday.
The outreach is part of PACE’s bigger mission at its Tampa headquarters at InnovAge, a facility that encompasses comprehensive medical care, mental health treatment, occupational therapy, personal development as well as a full hair salon and cafeteria.
Mary Rogers has been receiving care through PACE since April, after she was forced in to retirement from knee injuries.
She worked for years in a factory and it led to injuries that early this year, made her almost bedridden.
“Bone on bone, extreme pain, couldn’t move, couldn’t get around, like just helpless for myself,” said Rogers. “And it took me into depression because I’m thinking, you work your whole life and you are at this stage where you can’t do what you normally do.”
After joining PACE, Rogers said she has increased mobility as well as a place to go for activities and socializing during the week while her husband works.
Dr. Meenakshi Punj is Medical Director for PACE Tampa at InnovAge, and says the facility is a place that brings providers together under one roof to offer affordable and easily accessible services.
“It’s a one-stop shop where we can provide the wraparound services for our participants,” said Punj. “And we are looking at all aspects, we’re not just looking at the medical aspect, we’re looking at their mental, emotional as well as their social needs.”
PACE at Metropolitan Ministries will visit the Hidden River RV Park in Riverview from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, and the Sundance Lakes RV Resort in Pasco County on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.