One Senior Care is a company that is on a mission to improve the quality of life for seniors by supporting PACE programs with innovative solutions and exceptional service. Pulse 2.0 interviewed One Senior Care COO Craig Worland to learn more about the company.
Craig Worland’s Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Worland said:
“I was inspired to enter the healthcare industry after my wife and I adopted our daughter, who has special needs. Bringing her into our family made clear to me the importance of ensuring that individuals with chronic healthcare conditions always receive the personalized care that they deserve. Previously, I held roles at Southeast Primary Care Partners and Tanner Health System, where I focused on helping the organizations maintain their mission as they grew. Since joining One Senior Care, I’ve been reminded daily of the importance of our mission to help people age at home.”
“As Chief Operating Officer (COO) of One Senior Care, a provider of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)—a national program that helps seniors age in their homes—I’m responsible for the execution of our business strategy and our mission. We’re committed to keeping those we serve, known as “participants,” healthy, happy, and living safely in their homes for as long as possible, while also creating an environment that ensures our amazing staff, who are dedicated to the well-being of our participants, are supported and have fulfilling and rewarding careers.”
Services Offered
What services does the organization offer? Worland explained:
“PACE is a unique program that helps seniors in communities across America. As a PACE provider, we offer coordinated care to individuals aged 55 and older who are typically dual-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. We provide primary and specialty medical care, dental hearing, vision, and foot care, medication management services, transportation, and at-home assistance with daily tasks, such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, and laundry. Together, these services help us achieve our mission of ensuring our participants are safe, at home, healthy, and connected.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the organization so far? Worland reflected:
“Although untraditional, a favorite memory of working with One Senior Care so far was authorizing the removal of bed bugs from a participant’s home. Our interdisciplinary team (IDT), comprised of an array of dedicated health professionals that help coordinate participant’s care, found that a participant had bed bugs in her home, which were causing skin irritation. As strange as it may sound, it is actually a great case study of how the PACE program reduces healthcare spending. If she wasn’t a PACE participant, these bed bugs likely wouldn’t have been caught, leading to acute health problems that could require an emergency department visit and a hospital stay. So, such a simple act is in fact a Triple Aim win!”
“Before I joined PACE, I’d never had the opportunity to take care of the true root cause of someone’s health conditions. The experience also demonstrated how the PACE interdisciplinary team is involved in participants’ lives, not just in their healthcare. It’s a true testament to their commitment to keep seniors in their homes for as long as possible.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have Worland and the team faced in building the company? Worland acknowledged:
“As a provider of PACE services in rural communities, a consistent challenge we face is staffing. Our participants often have very complex healthcare needs, so we provide extensive services for them. Finding individuals with the interest, experience, and dedication to serve our participants can be difficult. Some of our employees also live in rural areas and commute up to an hour to provide participant care, so we have to be mindful of the impact that has on them.”
“Thankfully, our existing team’s dedication has made all the difference. We’re truly thrilled to have them on our team and look forward to supporting their career growth while we strive to create an environment that keeps our team motivated.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Worland assessed:
“One Senior Care is pursuing a XX total addressable market (TAM) size. There’s a growing population of Americans who are eligible for PACE and many of them are increasingly interested in aging at home. Yet only a fraction of older adults – 78,000 – are enrolled in the program.”
“We’re expanding our footprint to help meet this growing need. Beyond our program, we encourage policymakers to reduce barriers to opening, operating, and enrolling participants in PACE so that together, we can bring high-quality PACE services to the aging Baby Boomer population.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the organization from its competition? Worland affirmed:
“First and foremost, PACE stands out because the model empowers the interdisciplinary team to identify and address the source of health conditions. This stands in contrast to the traditional Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) environment, which often encourages providers to address the symptoms of a healthcare issue, rather than its root cause. By taking a preventative approach, the PACE model has been shown to significantly reduce hospitalizations when compared with other programs, helping to limit undue stress for our participants.”
“As a PACE provider, we’re unique in our focus on rural populations. Currently, we’re serving over 800 participants in Northwest Pennsylvania, Northern Virginia, and Eastern Kentucky. The senior population in these areas is aging more quickly than the national average, often lack access to medical professionals and facilities, and, as a result, face higher mortality rates across several leading causes of death. We’ve stepped in to address these access issues, help our participants address potential health issues early, identify medical care options, and coordinate that care across the continuum.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the organization’s future company goals?
“We believe we can be not just the best PACE program but the best and most complete healthcare delivery system in the country. That’s why we’re committed to prioritizing quality and compliance within our programs as we bring the PACE model to more seniors, particularly those in rural communities.”
“In the past three years, we’ve doubled the number of participants served. We’re hoping to double that number again as we grow our operations in existing centers and expand to Northeast Ohio in 2025.”
