Coming Together to Meet the Titanic Threat to Eldercare

Originally published Coming Together to Meet the Titanic Threat to Eldercare on July 18, 2025 15:42 by https://www.sdbj.com/nonprofits/coming-together-to-meet-the-titanic-threat-to-eldercare/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=coming-together-to-meet-the-titanic-threat-to-eldercare at San Diego Business Journal

SAN DIEGO – Here’s some good news about getting old from St. Paul’s Senior Services: even facing sobering data projections that 30% of seniors will be at risk of outliving their resources, there are organizations working together to solve the eldercare crisis.

The venerable St. Paul’s, caring for seniors since 1960, just entered an affiliation agreement with TRU Community Care of Colorado, creating a resource-sharing model they believe can serve more with less. The new partners are pioneering a new model, says President & CEO Michael McHale, on how nonprofits can help meet the challenge of caring for aging populations in an era of declining personal resources and drastic government cutbacks.

“More of us as nonprofits need to come together and figure this out, because there’s just not enough money out there for us to take care of this urgent need,” said McHale. “So how do we create partnerships to be more efficient and effective in managing the people that we want to care for?”

Over 5,000 seniors annually will benefit from their newly affiliated services across both states, they estimate. Their model calls for new healthcare delivery models, expanding telehealth capabilities, sharing experts and combining back-office operations. Their combined annual budget of $264 million per year, McHale said, calls for no layoffs for their total staff of 1,130.

Titanic Challenges in Senior Care

Both nonprofits have been on the frontlines of the looming crisis of eldercare that they’ve been trying to prepare for, McHale notes. Because like the Titanic’s iceberg, the threats that have long been visible to those daring to look below the surface.

With the heavy demographic weight of Baby Boomers colliding with the iceberg of economics: the first generation without safety-net pensions in an era of skyrocketing costs for health, housing and general living; 14% of America’s 60 million seniors currently live in poverty; median income is $29,749 for older adults nationally; locally, median rent cost alone outstrips that, at $37,800; and within 25 years America’s gray-haired population is projected to hit 90 million.

By joining forces, St. Paul’s and TRU aim to strengthen services across the care continuum—from independent and assisted living to memory care, home-based hospice, palliative and advanced illness care—all while remaining committed to serving middle- and low-income older adults.

PACE programs are the heart of the new nonprofit alliance, says McHale, who spent 22-plus years in executive management and development in the senior care and hospice industries.

St. Paul’s was instrumental in bringing PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) to San Diego County. PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid program that provides comprehensive medical and social services to qualified people in their community.

More New Roles

The affiliation preserves each organization’s nonprofit status, names, and missions, while creating new opportunities for collaboration, leaders say. TRU will maintain its strong local presence in Colorado, with Samantha Black, previous TRU PACE Executive Director, now serving in an expanded role as Executive Vice President and TRU’s top local executive leader. Scott Gresser has transitioned into the role of Chief Financial Officer for the affiliated organization, saying of the new alliance: “Partnering with St. Paul’s Senior Services opens new opportunities to further our mission and invest in the future of community-based senior care.”

Mark Valladolid has been promoted to Vice President of Technology & Innovation. His new role calls for fostering innovation, adopting emerging technologies, and challenging the organization to think beyond what’s currently possible.

Also promoted is Cory Fish to Vice President of Human Resources. Fish is credited with digitally upgrading St. Paul’s HR services including the bold move of taking the nonprofit fully paperless within one year integrating payroll, benefits and recruiting.

Since 1960, St. Paul’s built its reputation in commitment to innovation, as well as its focus on affordability and compassion. Programs include independent and assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and expanded services through strategic partnerships such as end-of-life care partnership with Elizabeth Hospice.

TRU’s roots reach deep in Colorado since its 1976 founding and its expansive network of continuum of care services, including memory care and hospice and palliative care centers.
Both markets nationally have seen significant growth propelled by a growing demand for services as the number of patients living with chronic and serious illness rises.

“So what are we going to do to meet future need?” asks McHale. “The fastest growing homeless population in San Diego County is over the age of 55, and it’s these seniors who are running out of resources, and there’s no safety net for that.”

If you follow projections at the local level, that’s 300,000 San Diego seniors who potentially could outlive their resources and face an uncertain future, he notes. “So how are we going to build the future models to answer that need? And that’s really what TRU and St Paul’s are committed to. Let’s come together. Let’s create this foundation between us, and then let’s look towards the future of how we’re going to address this emerging problem that’s taking place.”

St. Paul’s Senior Services & TRU Community Care
HEADQUARTERS: San Diego & Boulder, CO.
CEO: Michael McHale
BUSINESS: nonprofit senior care provider
BUDGET: $264 million annual
STAFF: 1,130 combined
WEBSITE: stpaulseniors.org

LISA PETRILLO

Originally published San Diego Business Journal