Faculty see positives in wake of Palisades sale

Qualls

While not expecting the sale of Palisades at Broadmoor Park, the director of the project that integrated UCCS faculty into creating new models for supporting wellness within senior housing was upbeat about the results of the five-year public/private partnership.

“We operated what amounts to an innovation center for four years and developed two tangible products from it,” said Sara Qualls, Kraemer Family Distinguished Professor of Aging Studies. “That’s something to be proud of. We are so grateful to Dunn and Associates for having confidence in us and for funding our incubator. As a result of our day-to-day partnership with management, staff and residents, I believe we have products that can contribute to improving the standard of care for the senior housing industry in our country.”

On Oct. 26, the Colorado Springs Gazette and the Colorado Springs Business Journal reported that Palisades was sold to California-based MBK Senior Living. Palisades was built in 2008 and boasted close interaction with UCCS faculty interested in developing new ways of supporting the overall well-being of older adults who reside in senior housing. The focal point of the work was a wellness support model for independent seniors as well as those with more significant physical or cognitive disabilities.

Following the sale, UCCS faculty and staff are no longer working at Palisades, though Qualls remains hopeful that partnerships with the new owners can be created. Qualls, Mary Ann Kluge, associate professor, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and Amy Silva-Smith, associate professor, Beth El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, told faculty and students they would no longer be working at Palisades prior to the stories in the Gazette and Business Journal.

Irvine, Calif.-based MBK operates 16 other senior living facilities in Arizona, California, Utah and Washington.