ArchCare celebrated the grand opening of its new Senior Life PACE Center in East Harlem, marking a major advancement in elder care design and delivery in New York City.
Editor’s note: Staten Island also recently benefited from ArchCare, as one of our own nursing home facilities, Eger Healthcare Center, was on the verge of bankruptcy, unable to meet its financial obligations and continue to provide services. ArchCare was able to allow Eger to continue to operate and provide services to island residents.
Below find a slideshow of photos from the event:
The event featured remarks from New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, who noted that “one of the greatest challenges facing older adults is isolation and loneliness,” and commended ArchCare for creating a center that promotes connection, dignity, and independence.
The “neighborhood”-style center includes a movie theater, café, beauty salon, arts studio, and library, offering a new model for how care environments can support well-being and community for older adults.
The center will begin welcoming participants in November 2025.
ArchCare Marks Ribbon Cutting for Groundbreaking “Neighborhood” PACE Center in East Harlem
Immersive, sensory-rich environment pairs comprehensive healthcare with community connection; center to welcome participants beginning in November.
NEW YORK, NY, October 8, 2025 — ArchCare, the healthcare system of the Archdiocese of New York, today celebrated the ribbon cutting of the ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem Center, unveiling one of the nation’s most innovative approaches to care for older adults. The immersive “neighborhood” setting is integrated within a full PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) model.
The event featured a blessing of the space by The Most Reverend John Bonnici, Auxiliary Bishop of New York, guided tours for guests, and remarks from New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.
“One of the greatest challenges facing older adults is isolation and loneliness,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “The Department congratulations ArchCare on the opening of the Senior Life PACE Harlem center, which will provide vital support for participants’ health, well-being, and independence, helping them to age with dignity in the communities they call home.”
Attendance included 200 guests, among them New York State Senator Cordell Cleare, U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), New York State government employees, ArchCare leadership, community partners, and PACE participants and caregivers.
Reimagining Aging Through Environment and Choice
The ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem center combines an adult day center with a fully equipped medical clinic to provide all the medical, social and other services seniors would otherwise receive in a nursing home while they continue to live in their own homes or with relatives. Inside the center, participants will also find a range of familiar and engaging spaces designed to spark connection and comfort:
- A movie theater
- A full-service beauty salon
- An arts and crafts workshop
- A café and social lounge
- A library for quite reflection
- Communal spaces for music, conversation, and recreation
This approach reflects research in elder care showing that sensory-rich environments with spaces designed for leisure, creativity, and social interaction can improve quality of life, reduce isolation, and enhance well-being among older adults. A 2021 scoping review published in BMJ Open found that sensory interventions in long-term care settings were consistently associated with improvements in residents’ quality of life, mood, and social engagement.
“We set out to design a space that honors the whole person, not just their medical needs, but their social, emotional, spiritual, and cultural lives,” said Scott LaRue, President and Chief Executive Officer of ArchCare. “It’s about dignity through design, and care delivered in a space that feels joyful, familiar, and full of possibility.”
“The new ArchCare Senior Life PACE center will expand the PACE model of care to more people who will benefit from access to PACE. We are excited that ArchCare has designed and built an innovative environment to support their enrollees” stated Shawn Bloom, President and CEO of the National PACE Association. “The program will undoubtedly be an important resource for the community, and we are proud of the work the ArchCare team is doing to foster emotional, social, and physical well-being for the members of its community.”
About the PACE Model
PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a federally regulated program that provides comprehensive medical and social services to adults aged 55+ who wish to remain living at home. Services include primary care, therapies, meals, transportation, home care, and recreational support, all delivered by an interdisciplinary team.
According to the National PACE Association, there are currently 188 PACE programs operating in 33 states and the District of Columbia. The Harlem center represents a bold new direction for the model, highlighting how environment and design can deepen the impact of comprehensive care.
“This project brings together innovation and community,” said Derek Dunbar, ArchCare Senior Vice President of Managed Care. “East Harlem deserves a center that reflects its vibrancy and its deep-rooted culture of care.”
The East Harlem facility builds on ArchCare’s long-standing commitment to serving New Yorkers with complex health and social needs, particularly in historically underserved neighborhoods.
What’s next: The ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem Center will begin welcoming participants in November 2025.
About ArchCare
ArchCare is the Continuing Care Community of the Archdiocese of New York, and one of the nation’s largest and most dynamic Catholic healthcare systems. ArchCare provides quality care to thousands of people of all faiths through its home and community-based and residential care programs, including their Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) nursing home alternative, short-term rehabilitation, long-term skilled nursing care, home care, assisted living, hospice, and acute care specialty hospitals for people with Huntington’s disease, HIV/AIDS, developmental disabilities, and other specialized care needs.
Visit archcare.org for more information.
The photos in the above slideshow were credited and captioned as follows:
Artist Credit: Artwork featured throughout the ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem Center was created by Harlem-based muralist Kristy McCarthy, whose work celebrates community, culture, and connection.
- The 106th Street Diner at ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem features a mural by local artist Kristy McCarthy, celebrating Harlem’s culture and creating a welcoming space for participants to gather for meals and to connect.
- The main entrance of ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem features artwork by local artist Kristy McCarthy, reflecting the vibrancy of the East Harlem community.
- The theater entrance at ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem, one of several immersive “neighborhood” spaces designed to engage participants through familiar, community-inspired settings.
- Guests explore the Crafter’s Corner during the ribbon cutting of ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem, a space dedicated to creativity and connection for program participants.
- The beauty salon at ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem provides participants with a space for self-care and social engagement in a familiar neighborhood setting.
- ArchCare President and CEO Scott LaRue tours the new ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem center with guests.
- The Most Reverend John Bonnici, Auxiliary Bishop of New York, offers a blessing and reflection on compassion and dignity during the ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem ribbon cutting ceremony.
- State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald delivers remarks during the ArchCare Senior LIfe PACE Harlem ribbon cutting.
- ArchCare President and CEO Scott LaRue, Bishop John Bonnici, Congressman Adriano Espaillat and Senator Cordell Cleare join ArchCare leadership and Senior Life PACE Harlem participants for the ceremonial ribbon cutting.
- Senator Cordell Cleare poses for a photo with ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem participants following the ribbon cutting ceremony.
- State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald and ArchCare President and CEO Scott LaRue tour the new ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem center, featuring storefront-style spaces designed to enhance participant engagement and well-being.
- Guests and participants gather in the 106th Street Diner at ArchCare Senior Life PACE Harlem to celebrate following the ribbon cutting ceremony. The mural, created by local artist Kristy McCarthy, honors Harlem’s cultural legacy.
Banner Image: ArchCare Senior Life PAC entryway. Image Credit – ArchCare
ArchCare by the Archdiocese of New York
ArchCare is the Continuing Care Community of the Archdiocese of New York and one of the nation’s largest and most dynamic Catholic healthcare systems. ArchCare provides quality care to thousands of people of all faiths through its home and community-based and residential care programs, including health plans and nursing home alternatives, adult day care, long-term skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, home care, assisted living, hospice, an acute care specialty hospital and services for people with Huntington’s disease, HIV/AIDS, developmental disabilities, and other specialized care needs.