With over 20 years of experience in health care consulting, Colin has extensive experience conducting market research, demand analysis, feasibility studies, and competitive assessments for post-acute, long-term care, and senior living providers in urban and rural locations across the nation. In addition, Colin’s passion for improving the lives of seniors through innovative models of care led him to serve as a key member of HDG’s PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) Technical Assistance Center team.
Colin assists organizations with:
- Market feasibility and demand studies
- Business plan development
- Program evaluation
- Facility planning
- Competitive assessment and analysis
- PACE feasibility, development, and implementation
Get to Know Colin
In this senior living leader spotlight series interview, Colin gives insight into the biggest challenges facing the senior living and care industry, why providers should consider PACE, and the importance of current data and understanding your market.
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenge that senior care and living leaders will face in the next year?
A: There are multiple challenges but if we limit it to one, staffing is a common issue shared by nearly all providers. In fact, this is not unique to senior living, but in all industries. Over the past five years, nationally, the workforce population ages 18-64 increased by 5 percent. Over the next five years, this same age cohort will decrease by nearly 1 percent. In other words, this current problem may become even more challenging.
Q: Why do you have such a love for the PACE model?
A: The Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) provides services to frail seniors to help them remain safely in their homes. It is a comprehensive, fully integrated, provider-based health plan that is a partnership between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), your State Administering agency, and the Provider Organization. Most people prefer to remain in their home as long as possible and this program does a great job in achieving this goal.
Q: What advice would you give to providers interested in developing a PACE program?
A: Call us! There are a lot of great organizations out there that PACE could fit well within their organization’s mission, vision, and values. PACE is the gold standard of home-and community-based care options. Learn about the program and how your organization might fit within the model. It is a program that takes two or more years to develop, so patience is important.
Q: Where can you be found on your days off?
A: Somewhere with my family. My wife likes to camp and spend time in nature. Our kids are involved in sports year-round. Both of our kids and I spend a lot of time working out at the karate Dojo. I also enjoy watching movies and attending sporting events.
Q: If you could change one thing about the senior living and care industry, what would it be and why?
A: Probably the affordability for all components. We complete a lot of feasibility studies and are involved in opening and/or managing communities. These provide great housing and services to many in need but there are many more that cannot afford it.
Q: What tips do you have for providers who are struggling to understand their market?
A: Complete a deep dive into your market. We tend to find many providers are not aware of their market demographics, occupancies, pricing, or overall competitiveness of other providers. Older data is dated and should be updated every couple of years. Things change and your market area definition likely changes too. The most successful providers are the ones on top of their market and are able to adapt to the needed changes by having the knowledge to help them get there.
Q: When did you know you wanted to work with seniors?
A: I did not actually start out in the senior industry. Once I did get into the industry though, I found it much more satisfying than what I was doing prior to that. It is great when you see people benefiting from and the impact it has on their lives from things we helped create or played a role in to start.
Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment in your career?
A: Probably adapting with the times as healthcare is always evolving. I have had the pleasure of working with great people throughout the years. We have created great things at HDG, and I am proud to continue to be part of a great group of people.
Q: What is your favorite of HDG’s values and why?
A: Humor. All five values are great, and I do like to think I live them all. Humor adds a little fun and humility though. I think we all want to have fun with what we do.
How Colin and HDG Can Help You
Colin and the rest of the Health Dimensions Group team can support you through a variety of consulting services including market feasibility and demand studies as well as PACE feasibility, development, and implementation. With decades of experience as senior living and care community operators and consultants, our team can help you evaluate strategic options as you consider options for growth and how to best position your community. Contact us at info@hdgi1.com or 763.537.5700 to learn how our team can help your organization achieve success.
