Bob Kramer, Senior Housing Industry Trailblazer and Visionary, Joins Lifespark Board of Directors

Founder of Nexus Insights and co-founder of NIC accepts first industry board seat of his 40-year career, citing Lifespark's COMPLETE Senior Living model as the industry's strongest voice on the future of senior health

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lifespark, a complete senior health company, today announced that Bob Kramer, founder at Nexus Insights and co-founder and Strategic Advisor for National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), will join its Board of Directors. This is the first industry board of director seat for Kramer who has spent the last 40+ years shaping and influencing the senior living industry.

Kramer is widely regarded as one of senior living's most influential thought leaders and connectors. Known as the industry's "agent provocateur" and an "ice-cutter" who scouts the trends that will disrupt senior housing, aging services, and aging itself. His career has attracted capital to the industry, helping it grow in size, performance, and value for older adults and their families.

"Bob is a highly trusted and respected leader in the senior housing industry and for us, he’s been a key advisor and mentor for years,” said Joel Theisen, BSN, RN, CEO, Lifespark. “Having Bob join our board is an important moment in both Bob’s career and our company’s history because it sends a message about the direction we are going. Some have said that we are building a better mousetrap with the introduction of our COMPLETE Senior Living (CSL) model and Bob joining our board is validation that not only are we doing it, but others believe in the vision of how we will shape senior health.”

According to Kramer, the crossover between health care and senior living will intensify in the years to come making CSL a timely and well-thought-out model that provides value not only in terms of what the future senior wants but also for those who operate and work in that setting. "What sets Lifespark apart is that it isn't promising results,” said Kramer. “It's already delivering them, measuring them, and using what it learns to keep improving."

“Only 2-5% of seniors have access to senior living and with the growth of the aging population we need to drive more access,” explained Theisen. “We must solve this issue, or the future of senior health will be a mess – especially for the forgotten middle. Senior living needs to be viewed as a partner in their long-term health – not as a place to go, but a place to grow.”

A third path for operators and capital partners|
As capital partners weigh where senior living goes next, many NOI growth assumptions still hinge almost entirely on rate growth and expense control. Kramer sees Lifespark offering a demonstrated third path where value-based care plays an integral role without having to capture the cost of those services through rates charged to the residents.

“By providing additional care coordination and chronic disease management in tandem with SPARK Growth and Wellness, CSL is able to reduce turnover, decrease hospitalization, and proactively manage health and wellness,” explained Kramer. “That equates to decreased volatility for owners and investors with a product that easily differentiates itself in the market through the value it delivers. CSL’s end result is greater strength, purpose, and belonging within its communities and that matters to the experience residents, families, and employees want.”

While many companies are positioning themselves to benefit from integrated care and value-based models, Lifespark is already operating that way. It is measuring outcomes today and refining its approach with real data.

“Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared several announcements of where we’ve added industry horsepower to our team as we continue to grow our senior living footprint,” added Theisen. “Our story is not about the parts of our CSL model, it’s about the whole – the complete story where every stakeholder wins as we foster vocation for those who work there, deliver outcomes investors and owners want, and drive value for those who live in our community for long-term health and well-being. We’re excited to work with Bob as we set the gold standard for the future of senior living.”

A former county government official and Maryland state legislator, Mr. Kramer was a leader on health and environmental issues while representing the state capital of Annapolis in the 1980s. Mr. Kramer was educated at Harvard and Oxford Universities and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary.

About Lifespark

Lifespark is a complete senior health company bringing senior living management, geriatric care, urgent response, hospice, SPARK Growth & Wellness, and a unified intelligence platform together in one coordinated model. By helping older adults stay healthier, more independent, and connected to purpose, Lifespark creates stronger experiences for residents, families, and team members while helping owners and investors reduce volatility, strengthen occupancy, and improve long-term community performance.

For more on Lifespark, visit: www.lifespark.com.