Element Care COO Outlines Vision for PACE Program Expansion and Senior Care Innovation

Calay Ip, the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer of Element Care PACE, brings over 20 years of healthcare leadership to her role at the senior care provider. With extensive expertise in developing and managing innovative programs including PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), Senior Care Options, and Accountable Care Organizations, Ip's appointment signals a strategic move to strengthen Element Care's position in the senior care market.

In her first year as COO, Ip's top priorities include ensuring operational excellence, strengthening financial performance, and expanding access to Element Care's interdisciplinary, coordinated care model. Her focus will be on optimizing high-quality care models that support caregivers in providing exceptional, person-centered care to participants. Ip emphasized her commitment to leading Element Care through its next phase of growth, advancing the company's vision of compassionate, affordable care for seniors.

The PACE model represents a significant departure from traditional senior care approaches by offering a holistic healthcare solution that brings all medical care under one roof. According to Ip, what makes PACE unique is its emphasis on preventive medicine and personalized attention, which contrasts with fragmented systems where patients and families must coordinate payments, appointments, and transportation independently. The model has demonstrated success in reducing hospitalizations, lowering costs, and improving quality of life for participants.

Element Care has partnered with organizations like 2Life to offer affordable housing solutions that enable participants to maintain independence while having on-site access to medical care. This integrated approach addresses both healthcare and social service needs, representing what Ip sees as the future of comprehensive senior care.

Drawing from her experience leading large-scale turnarounds and expansions, Ip plans to apply lessons in data-driven decision making, operational efficiency, and team empowerment. She emphasized that success hinges on using analytics to understand performance, streamlining processes to reinvest resources where they matter most, and supporting dedicated teams. These strategies will be crucial as Element Care prepares for strategic growth while maintaining its organizational culture.

Ip expressed particular optimism about technology-enabled care innovations, including remote patient monitoring, telehealth, and AI-powered data analytics. These tools allow for real-time health monitoring, proactive intervention before crises occur, and deeper personalization of care plans. The integration of technology with holistic care models represents what Ip believes will drive the most significant improvements in outcomes and quality of life for older adults.

Looking ahead 5-10 years, Ip anticipates PACE will continue expanding nationally, particularly in underserved areas as the U.S. population ages. With value-based care gaining traction, PACE is positioned as a flagship model that aligns incentives across Medicare and Medicaid. The partnership with 2Life and similar organizations will likely expand, offering more integrated housing solutions that support independence while providing medical access.

The demographic shift toward an aging population underscores the importance of programs like PACE. With projections indicating that a quarter of the U.S. population will be 65 or older by 2060, innovative senior care models may become more widely recognized as cost-saving solutions that improve quality of life. Ip's leadership comes at a critical time for the senior care industry, as healthcare systems prepare for increased demand from aging baby boomers.

For emerging healthcare leaders interested in senior care, Ip advises being lifelong learners who prioritize the human element. She emphasizes the importance of learning from every level of the organization, building strong relationships, advocating for innovative solutions, and challenging the status quo. The work, while challenging, offers the reward of contributing to programs that enable older adults to live with dignity and independence.