In this episode of Home Care Hindsight, host David Knack sits down with Gregory Bean, Vice President of Paradigm Senior Services. With 30 years in home care, Gregory shares invaluable insights on the industry's evolution, the importance of third-party payers, and why treating caregivers as your most valuable asset leads to better retention and client outcomes. They discuss the shift from private pay to Medicaid and VA-funded services, the benefits of Medicare Advantage, and how home care agencies can remain profitable despite economic challenges.

Lesson Takeaways:

1. Agencies should prioritize caregiver appreciation and retention beyond just pay.

2. Expanding into Medicaid, VA benefits, and Medicare Advantage can provide financial stability.

3. Managing family expectations is key to ensuring smooth home care operations.

4. Keeping consistent caregivers improves client satisfaction and reduces turnover.

5. Agencies should focus on lifetime client value rather than just hourly profit margins.

Timestamps: [00:01:00] Introduction to Gregory Bean and Paradigm Senior Services [00:02:30] The biggest shifts in home care over the last decade [00:06:45] Why Gregory’s biggest "mistake" was starting a home care business [00:10:00] Managing family expectations vs. client satisfaction [00:12:30] The three key reasons caregivers stay: work, pay, and appreciation [00:17:30] Why third-party payers like Medicaid and VA benefits are underutilized [00:21:00] The administrative burden of third-party payers (and how to simplify it) [00:26:00] The challenge of rising caregiver wages and private pay rate limits [00:30:00] The future of Medicare Advantage in home care [00:37:00] Why the most reliable caregivers are the real heroes [00:41:30] How home care agencies can improve retention through recognition

Quotes

• Gregory Bean: "I wish every agency saw their caregivers as their greatest asset, not just employees."

• Gregory Bean: "The biggest mistake agencies make is focusing on hourly margins rather than lifetime client value."

• David Knack: "If every caregiver was consistent and reliable, home care would change overnight."

Resources:

1. Paradigm Senior Services
2. Connect with Gregory Bean on LinkedIn
3. Connect with David Knack on LinkedIn
4. Connect with Zingage on LinkedIn
5. Powered by Zingage
6. Subscribe on Zingage’s YouTube