He operated high-end adult family homes in Seattle, Washington, from 1990 to 2019 - nearly three decades. Joseph is intimately familiar with all aspects of starting, licensing, and operating high-end adult family homes while fulfilling life and financial goals. He is a DSHS-approved faculty instructor of the AFH Administrator Training certification and has taught hundreds of students all aspects of adult family homes licensing and operations. Joseph is also known for his fresh, innovative, and highly effective marketing approaches and strategies that help adult family home owners attract and admit more private-pay residents without being pushy, aggressive, or salesy... perfect for non-marketers! He helps providers create valuable care programs so they can stand out from the competition, deliver outstanding care and goodwill, and make a positive difference in their community while prospering in the process.Joseph Spada, LPN, adult family home industry expert consultant and teacher.
My Bio-Story
Born in Sicily and raised in Geneva Switzerland, I learned geriatric care from one of the wold’s best – the University Hospital in Geneva, Switzerland, where I served in geriatrics, orthopedics, rehabilitation, and the emergency room.
I came to the U.S. in 1985 to study Traditional Chinese Medicine before moving to Seattle in 1989. Since I knew almost no English and had depleted my financial resources (basically, I was broke!) I got a minimum-wage job at a local Nursing Home, providing rehabilitation care and nursing assistance to the elderly.
But working in a U.S. nursing home broke my heart which led me to start my own adult family homes in an effort to de-institutionalize senior care by offering highly personalized, loving and competent care in real homes. That was 1990 – Spada Homes, Inc. was born.
As a Certified Geriatric Care provider and geriatric nurse of 30 years, I have gained extensive knowledge in long-term care, especially adult family homes. I’ve seen the long-term care landscape change and evolve and I acquired a real knack for knowing what works and what doesn’t for care providers, consumers, and the elderly residents we serve.
I authored a #2 Amazon Bestseller in the elder care category called, “How To Find The Best Adult Family Home Care For Your Elderly Parent” currently available on Amazon. It’s the first and only book educating consumers on adult family homes, understanding what the available long-term care options mean to them, and guiding them on their journey to find quality care.
As a faculty instructor at North Seattle College, I teach the “54-hour AFH Administrator Training” certification course. This a DSHS-required class where oncoming and growing providers learn the operational and business aspects required to operate successful adult family care homes.
I created “The Adult Family Home Marketing Roadmap. Your step-by-step adult family home marketing blueprint to attract, impress, and convert more private-pay residents so you can make a difference, and prosper in the process – even if you’re not a marketer.”
Circa 1993, I was actively involved in the creation of the Washington State Residential Care Council (WSRCC), now the Adult Family Home Council, and served on the Board of, and as President for the Sno-King Adult Family Homes Association. I taught Community and Workplace First Aid & CPR as a Red Cross instructor.
I have a passion for cooking and a reputation for baking amazing Sicilian-style pizza in my rigged home oven that reaches 750F! I also love playing acoustic guitar, as well technology and marketing. I live in Seattle with my wife Deanna and the proud father three amazing daughters.