John Milford: profile
Background
John has thirty-four years of management experience and service organization development skills. He opened and served as Executive Director of the San Francisco Towers for over fifteen years after a career in hospital and health care administration. John remains active as the principal of Heritage Consulting for Retirement Living, has supported non-profit work for seniors as Board Chair at the San Francisco Senior Center and Board Secretary at San Francisco Village, and has served as Chair of the Grownups Forum at the Commonwealth Club of California for over fourteen years.
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Detail:
Principal / Owner at Heritage Consulting 2011 to present
Serving clients with interests in the U.S., Australia and Chile from service providers and developers of retirement communities to research for launch of a healthcare product.
Chair, Grownups Forum—The Commonwealth Club of California 2000 to present
Executive Director / San Francisco Towers 1995 – 2011 Opened and operated the premiere Continuing Care Retirement Community in San Francisco where the result was deemed insightful, innovative, and empowering by customers, management and colleagues. Generated in excess of $20M in net operating revenue. As a renowned preceptor and mentor, prepared over twenty management trainees for productive health care and retirement management careers.
Executive Director / The Carlisle 1991 – 1995 Opened and managed the first urban high rise condominium Continuing Care Retirement Community in San Francisco.
Hospital and Health Care Administration 1969 – 1991
• Merritt Peralta Medical Center / Oakland, CA
Associate Administrator for Professional Services
• Oakland Hospital / Oakland, CA
Administrator
• Terra Linda Convalescent Hospital / San Rafael, CA
Administrator
• U.S. Army Medical Department / U.S. and Republic of Vietnam
Captain, Army Medical Service Corps
John W. Milford johnwmilford@gmail.com
415.691.0620
Education
Golden Gate Theological Seminary – Master of Divinity, 1977
Medical College of Virginia – MHA, Health Care Management, 1969
University of Richmond, Virginia – BA, Psychology, 1967
Professional and Civic Engagement
Board of Directors, San Francisco Village
Board of Directors, San Francisco Senior Center
Chair/Grownups Forum, Commonwealth Club of California
Past Director, Aging Services of California 1999 – 2005
Golden Gate Region Chair, 1999 – 2005
California NHA License #2949 (1977)
My Articles & Research on Tech-enhanced Life
How a Continuing Care Retirement Community Works
How a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) works is a question that often pops up when our explorer discussions turn to where and how to live as one gets older. This article explains how this model of retirement living works, and discusses their financial model.
Retirement Living Options
When it comes to retirement living options, the question of whether to stay at home or to move often looms large. Here are the things to consider so you make the right decision.
Retirement Living: Comparison Matrix & Talk
Retirement Living expert John Milford has created this talk and comparison matrix of pros and cons of different retirement living alternatives, using San Francisco Bay Area examples to illustrate the comparison process. Details include entry fee sizes, ongoing financial obligations, application requirements, and which entities oversee the different housing types.
Retirement Community Costs: How Much?
At the outset, the greatest barrier to moving into a retirement community can be the cost. Therefore, most homeowners and renters find it attractive to age in place at home in the community where friends and services are nearby. However, the cost of remaining at home can become very high in the later stages compared to some of the alternatives.
Life Stage Denial
Many who are standing at the brink of change in later life – though still active, social, and financially secure -survey the changes in lifestyle that could mitigate the ravages of older age and become frozen and unable to make a decision, thinking that taking action makes sense, but “I’m not ready yet.”
The Village Movement
Villages are a non-profit subscription membership network of individuals over 60 who want to stay in their own homes and neighborhoods – neighbors realistic about the transitions that come with getting older - committed to helping each other when there’s a need.
Independent for Life - Or Just for a Season?
For those fortunate enough to age in place in surroundings designed to be safe and comfortable, the experience will most likely be more lasting than in one's own home which was designed for an entirely different demographic.
Retirement Housing: Choices for Later in Life
When it comes to retirement housing types, there are many choices. Here is an overview. As with most consumer items, 'it pays to shop'. Safety, affordability, and sustainability are the keys to making the right choice.
Co-authored Articles
Exploring Grandparent Apps
“Once you are a grandparent, almost nothing seems as important as interacting with your grandkids, and helping them and their parents as much as you can.” But, if you can’t visit, or live a long way away, how do you maintain the sorts of deep interactions you long for?
This group of four older adults from the Longevity Explorers thought “there should be an App for that”, and set out to explore the space of “Grandparenting Apps”.