Maya Angelou once said, “If you don’t know where you’ve come from, you don’t know where you’re going.” It suggests that understanding your past can help you make better decisions about your future.
Kloe Korby, founder of the United Senior Association (USA), lives by these words. They guide her mission to improve senior care in America. Kloe grew up in a family known for resilience and innovation. Her journey combines healthcare, entrepreneurship, and media, focusing on making a real difference.
Kloe’s story starts with her family’s struggles. There, she witnessed the flaws in the healthcare system as her mother and sister faced life-changing medical challenges. This personal experience inspired her vision for senior care that is proactive instead of reactive. She wants to use technology and compassion to improve lives.
Kloe has pioneered digital platforms and led the creation of innovative community healthcare hubs, blending traditional methods with modern solutions. However, her work transcends systems and structures; it centers on the people at its core—the seniors she champions, the families she supports, and the communities she empowers.
Kloe has created digital platforms and community healthcare hubs, merging traditional care with modern solutions. However, her work goes beyond systems; it focuses on the people. She advocates for seniors, supports families, and empowers communities.
In this issue, we explore Kloe Korby’s extraordinary journey, her passion for storytelling through “Recovered Reflections,” her groundbreaking healthcare initiatives, and her tireless advocacy for preventative care. She shows that one person’s determination can create a movement and leave a lasting impact on future generations.
“Looking to the past and seeing everything we have managed to accomplish teaches us that we can strive for more and imagine a better future because it is within our reach,” says Kloe.
GHM: You’ve woven together several diverse interests, from senior advocacy to media production and entrepreneurship. How do these different threads connect, and what drives your passion for helping others?
Kloe: That’s a great question. It might seem like a lot of different things, but for me, they’re all connected by a desire to make a positive impact. I’m the founder of the United Senior Association (USA), and advocating for seniors is a huge passion of mine. I also produce podcasts, which allow me to combine storytelling with my focus on healthcare and senior issues. Through my podcast series, “Recovered Reflections,” we share inspiring stories and experiences of older adults, fostering connection and understanding.
My background is in business operations and management, which has given me experience in everything from branding and fundraising to strategic communications and product distribution. My first venture was an online social network and city guide in Manhattan, which really laid the groundwork for everything I’ve done since.
As a native New Yorker, I feel a deep connection to this city. The Statue of Liberty is particularly meaningful to me, especially since my grandparents immigrated here during World War II. It symbolizes refuge, opportunity, and core American values.
Over the years, I’ve launched several companies. I live on the Upper East Side with my dog, a 4lb Biewer Terrier, who inspired me to create Woof Woof Box, an e-commerce shop for pet supplies. I also run NYC Lifestyle Influencer, which promotes sustainable products and local businesses using smart technology. And I have a consulting platform, Safe Service Solutions, focused on PPE awareness and public health information.
Ultimately, my focus is on helping people and improving our country, particularly in healthcare. I believe we need to make significant changes, and quickly. My market research confirms this need, and I feel a deep personal connection to this work, rooted in our shared bond with my mother. As someone who has been involved with social media and digital technology for years, I want to leverage those tools to create real change. For example, “Our Health Matters” is a local volunteer program addressing immediate health needs in our communities, encouraging involvement from people of all ages and backgrounds.
All of these ventures, from the USA to my various businesses and volunteer efforts, are driven by a desire to improve lives and contribute to a better future.
GHM: Please share a bit about your family’s background. How have their experiences and careers influenced your path?
Kloe: My family history is quite diverse, and it has definitely shaped who I am today. My mother, Francine Muriel Parisella, was born in Montreal in September 1944. She’s 80 now and was the youngest of two daughters. She was raised by my grandmother, who was originally from Paris. My grandmother was an aspiring singer and actress who became a single mother after my grandfather, who was from Sicily, tragically died in a car accident.
My grandfather was a gifted musician. However, being a devoted husband and father, he prioritized his family and left his band to join their family’s fabric and textile import business. He was very successful and eventually became a top seller of luxury custom-tailored suits.
My mother later moved to New York City, became a U.S. citizen, and earned her medical certification. She then worked as the head nutritionist at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she created specialized meal plans for post-surgery patients. She eventually married my father, Joel Stanley Klotz, at City Hall in Manhattan, and they soon had my sister and me.
My father’s parents were first-generation Russian-Jewish immigrants. He graduated from NYU with an engineering degree and then took over the small family business in the Bronx that his parents and brother had started. He grew it into one of the largest school supply distribution companies in the region.
So, I come from a family with a strong work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and a blend of artistic and practical pursuits. Their dedication to their respective fields—whether it was music, business, or healthcare—instilled in me the importance of pursuing one’s passions and making a meaningful impact.
GHM: You’ve mentioned your mother’s experience in a nursing facility and its impact on you. Can you tell us more about that and how it led to the creation of the United Senior Association?
Kloe: My mother’s recent admission to a nursing facility was a turning point. I moved nearby to help manage her care, and being so involved in her treatment and recovery really opened my eyes to the pandemic’s impact and the weaknesses in our healthcare infrastructure. It became clear that we desperately need to rebuild these systems, which are failing people across the country. This realization drove me to establish the United Senior Association, an initiative to advocate for our elderly population. I sincerely hope others will join us in this effort to improve lives for families and protect future generations.
My mother’s admission to the skilled nursing facility came over two years after an invasive procedure that required ongoing rehabilitation and physical therapy to maintain her mobility. Her condition had become chronic, and this all happened during the height of the pandemic.
It was a big adjustment for her. She’d always been so independent, active in her church, and engaged with friends and the community. Then, unexpectedly, her doctor informed me she needed emergency surgery to prevent a potentially fatal aneurysm. It was a difficult decision to make, but necessary. I reassured her and promised to be there for her throughout her recovery.
Moving closer to her allowed me to spend a lot of time with her as she adjusted to her new environment. I also became close to the other residents and the staff. Because of safety precautions, there were few visitors, and the residents were often isolated. We formed a close bond, sharing stories and looking through photo albums. I got to know these people on a deep level, even though we were strangers just months before.
In addition to this, my mother faced a potential amputation due to ineffective treatment from her doctor. Thankfully, she found a solution with RX Wound, a medical group specializing in stem cell therapy. Within two weeks, she was walking again after a year of hospitalizations and an unnecessary surgery that hadn’t helped.
Furthermore, my sister’s experience with inpatient and outpatient care at New York Presbyterian several years ago also influenced my perspective. I worked closely with her doctors and social workers, and I was so impressed by the support she received. It really made a difference. Today, she’s doing incredibly well—she has a successful career, great relationships, and a strong support system.
Seeing what my sister went through also opened my eyes to the challenges people face with neurological disorders. There’s still so much stigma around mental health, which makes it hard for people to talk about it and get the help they need.
These experiences, both with my mother and sister, shaped the mission of the United Senior Association. We support preventative care through technology development and digital innovation, which significantly improves the quality of life for our elders by enhancing patient monitoring, improving communication, and ensuring better access to health services.
GHM: Can you elaborate on the United Senior Association’s mission and how you’re using innovation to achieve it?
Kloe: The United Senior Association (USA) views preventative care as a progressive initiative to preserve health and well-being. Our mission supports developing technologies and advancing digital innovations that significantly impact elder care. These advancements enhance patient monitoring, improve communication, and ensure better access to health services.
Specifically, the integration of telemedicine and remote monitoring systems has transformed healthcare delivery, particularly for early detection. Continuous tracking of patients’ biometric data allows for immediate interventions when necessary.
This approach not only maintains quality control in patient care and provides a secure record database but also significantly reduces costs, unnecessary office visits, and inconvenient wait times.
Ultimately, it’s about creating a more efficient and patient-friendly healthcare system through an innovative initial intake model.
GHM: You’re developing a new type of healthcare facility. Can you describe this innovative approach and how it will benefit seniors?
Kloe: We’re very excited about our latest development: an integrated network of healthcare systems delivered through highly innovative, modular, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant, prefabricated, solar-powered, ground-level facilities.
These complexes will combine a community recreation center with an adjoining medical clinic specifically designed for seniors. This design prioritizes both accessibility and sustainability.
These facilities will offer cost-efficient preventative care and support services, utilizing state-of-the-art technology, the latest digital health products, and an advanced, user-friendly online portal.
To further enhance data security and accessibility, a specialized tracking microchip will integrate directly with the USA interface. This will allow patients to securely access all their medical information and ensure their records, including intake forms and face sheets, are always up-to-date.
This integrated approach, combining convenient physical facilities with advanced digital tools, is central to our vision of providing comprehensive and accessible care for seniors.
GHM: You’ve expressed strong feelings about the current state of healthcare. Can you elaborate on your concerns and what you believe needs to change?
Kloe: I believe our healthcare system has, in many ways, failed us. It often operates more like a corporation focused on profits than on protecting lives. It’s become a business driven by quarterly returns, where people are treated as customers rather than patients, and our lives are reduced to a numerical value. This has gone on for too long and needs to change.
We live in this country because we believe in the promise of something better. This nation was founded on the idea that we could and should do better. The struggles we’ve faced are deeply ingrained in our history and hearts, a testament to our strength and resilience—the very qualities that built this nation. Our collective sacrifices are embedded within the fabric of this land—in our cities, infrastructure, and farmlands.
Fundamentally, we are entitled to a basic human right: the peace of mind that our health matters. Generations before us sacrificed their lives to protect these ideals, and it’s our responsibility to honor that legacy. This is the security we need as we build our homes, raise our families, and contribute to this great nation.
GHM: You’ve mentioned Joni Mitchell’s recent performance and her resilience in the face of health challenges. How does her story resonate with you?
Kloe: Joni Mitchell’s recent performance at the Grammys was truly inspiring. At 80, after enduring a brain aneurysm that left her immobilized, she returned to the stage. This wasn’t even her first major health challenge; she had polio as a child. It’s remarkable how she channeled those experiences, even learning to play guitar while recovering in the hospital and performing for other patients.
Her song “Big Yellow Taxi,” written in 1970, has always resonated with me. The line, “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot,” perfectly captures the unintended consequences of unchecked development and a consumer-driven culture. It speaks to how we often prioritize profit and convenience over preserving our environment, leading to the destruction of natural habitats and the displacement of communities.
Mitchell’s personal struggles and her music remind us how we often fail to appreciate what we have—whether it’s nature, love, or even our health—until it’s gone, as she so eloquently sings, “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.”
Her resilience is a powerful testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity. For me, it highlights the importance of cherishing what we have and fighting to protect it, whether it’s our physical well-being, our communities, or our environment.
GHM: You’ve used the phrase “Hakuna Matata” in relation to healthcare. Can you explain what you mean by that?
Kloe: “Hakuna Matata” means “no worries.” This Swahili phrase is widely known from The Lion King. In the film, after Simba loses his father, he meets two characters who try to help him cope with his grief. Their song, with its comical interludes and lighthearted banter, is uplifting, encouraging a positive attitude and focusing on appreciating life’s simple pleasures without worrying about the past or future.
I believe healthcare should embody this problem-free philosophy. If we can fly in the sky, land on the moon, and even travel to other planets, then ensuring access to quality healthcare is more than a reasonable request—it’s an absolute necessity.
The most incredible achievement we often take for granted is the miracle of life itself. If we can create and bring new life into the world, we can certainly ensure we preserve it, regardless of the cost, because life is priceless.
GHM: How do you maintain focus on your purpose, especially when facing challenges?
Kloe: The new year is always a time for reflection. After the holidays, spending time with family and friends reminds us of the importance of those connections. It’s comforting to be reminded that we have people to share our lives with. These moments together create lasting memories, and while we can’t predict the future, I believe showing up for each other is what truly matters.
I recently read a retrospective on the Frank Capra film It’s a Wonderful Life. It premiered in 1946, just two years after my mother was born. It’s become a celebrated classic, and its message—that everyone has value and makes a difference—is powerful. The film teaches us that doing good is rewarding, even though we all face setbacks.
I try to keep my priorities in focus and avoid distractions, but there are days when I feel like I’ve hit a wall and lack energy. During these moments, I practice mindfulness and focus on being patient with myself and others. I often take a walk in New York City, where I’ve lived my whole life, and immerse myself in its dynamic energy. As I walk and observe the city’s pulse, I sometimes witness random acts of kindness—a stranger helping someone in need. These moments instantly remind me of my purpose: caring for people. It’s incredibly inspiring.
GHM: Can you elaborate on the role of digital technology and preventative care in achieving the United Senior Association’s objectives?
Kloe: Our objective is to establish the USA as a central platform, integrating digital technologies and partnering with relevant companies to address critical healthcare challenges. We aim to set standards for a national system, offering a membership program with comprehensive intake, medical records, and access to clinics and community centers.
A key focus is preventative healthcare, which encompasses primary prevention (like vaccinations and healthy habits), secondary prevention (early detection through screenings), and tertiary prevention (managing chronic conditions). Common preventative services include immunizations, check-ups, screenings, and lifestyle counseling. Many insurance plans already cover these services.
Digital technology is becoming crucial in this area, enabling earlier disease detection, personalized interventions, and more efficient healthcare delivery. By integrating digital technology into our facilities, the USA can ensure timely interventions and lessen the strain on the healthcare system.
It’s also worth noting the exciting advancements in stem cell research. Stem cells, particularly those derived from placentas (previously discarded medical waste), have incredible regenerative properties and are now being used across the healthcare sector for groundbreaking research and treatments. This further underscores the importance of embracing innovation in healthcare.
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