Jane Yousey, the director of learning and development at FirstLight Home Care, has been named a 2024 Memory Care Innovation Award Winner.

To become a Memory Care Innovation Award winner, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who knows how to put vision into action, and serve as an advocate for those living with memory-related disorders and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.

Yousey sat down with Home Health Care News to talk about why she believes people with dementia don’t seek a diagnosis sooner, and creating treatment that currently does not exist.

What drew you to working in memory care?

As a geriatric occupational therapist, my entire career I’ve loved working with people whose brains are changing due to either dementia, or mental illness. I have spent a career developing techniques and tools and training to equip people who care for them to do it better.

What’s your biggest lesson learned since starting to work in memory care?

I have to go directly to my personal experience with it. My mom passed, about a year and half ago, having really journeyed for the last 10 years, with a couple of different forms of dementia.

My grandmother lived with us with Alzheimer’s disease. My biggest takeaway is, when we care for the client with dementia, we care for the family at the same time. Everybody needs support, understanding and tools to be able to journey along this pathway of dementia.

If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of memory care, what would it be?

We have to close the loop of equipping people to get a diagnosis as early as possible. The reason people don’t is because there isn’t a treatment at this point. There are some interesting infusions that are in development, but I think the number one reason why people don’t want to get a diagnosis is it feels a lot like a hopeless situation.

My number one is that we would develop a treatment that would be effective in not only slowing, but stopping the process, then people would feel like it’s safe to get an accurate diagnosis, because then they can start treatment.

Number two, the number of available beds in communities and facilities for people needing memory care support are going to fill up. In the next four to five years, there will not be available beds.

We need to equip people to be at home with wraparound care for what they need. I think home is the best place to age surrounded by memories, photos and items that they value, familiarity routines and long-term procedural memories that get triggered at home, whether it’s their garden or their golf clubs or a tool collection or a teacup collection. We also have to equip communities to be dementia ready, so that a coffee shop, or a diner wait staff understands how to best approach and support someone’s independence, for as long as possible, with dementia.

What is the biggest obstacle to being innovative in memory care, and how do you try to overcome that obstacle?

The stigma is number one. People think all hope is gone when you get a diagnosis of dementia, and it’s not. My curriculum, my training is a curriculum of hope.

Our company is called FirstLight, so we’re often the first light shining hope in a home of someone who may be experiencing this journey of dementia.

There’s three things we teach in our training program: We adapt our communication to exactly where someone is in their stage of dementia. We adapt their activities in a day to allow them to be successful. The other thing we teach is adapting to the environment, people have visual spatial changes.

A perfect example of this is when you set a meal up for someone with late-stage dementia. Their world is really only 14 to 18 inches from their face. If their water glass, or the salt and pepper or the utensils are further away from their face recognition, their spatial world, it doesn’t exist. It’s like it’s not there.

In a word, how would you describe the future of memory care?

Hopeful 

If you could give advice to yourself looking back to your first day in the industry, what would it be and why?

Create what has not yet been created.

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Staci Rogers, the vice president of operations at Visiting Angels, has been named a 2024 Memory Care Innovation Award Winner.

To become a Memory Care Innovation Award winner, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who knows how to put vision into action, and serve as an advocate for those living with memory-related disorders and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.

Rogers sat down with Home Health Care News to talk about the need for more stakeholders to be familiar with dementia care, and why that matters.

What drew you to working in memory care?

I have always loved helping others. I had the opportunity to work very closely with a family who had a loved one diagnosed with early-onset dementia. I was able to learn so much from this family and dementia from the early stages of her diagnosis through the progression of the disease. Helping the family navigate the disease process and life changes for the entire family taught me a lot and I have been dedicated ever since.

What’s your biggest lesson learned since starting to work in memory care?

It is difficult to get others to look beyond the basics of physical care someone needs, and tap into the connections we can make with those living with cognitive impairment. Always be the voice for those who no longer have one, and music is medicine!

If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of memory care, what would it be?

A world where people are educated about dementia and memory care. Not just those directly impacted by it but our entire communities — health care systems, first responders and community members. This would allow more people with memory impairment to live a life safely in our communities long term with the right support.

What is the biggest obstacle to being innovative in memory care, and how do you try to overcome that obstacle?

The biggest obstacle to being innovative in memory care is conveying to others the passion and emotional impact it evokes without first-hand experience. It’s challenging to teach and explain to others the profound feelings that can be created, and the deep connections we can make using technology, especially for engagement purposes.

In a word, how would you describe the future of memory care?

I would describe the future of memory care as “visionary.”

What quality must all Memory Care Innovation Award winners possess?

Creativity, tenacity, positivity, a loving heart and open mind.

If you could give advice to yourself looking back to your first day in the industry, what would it be and why?

Always have an open mind and heart. There is something to be gained with every connection you make, big or small. Never give up if you believe in something.

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Amy Kowinsky, the executive director of Dementia360 at Presbyterian SeniorCare, has been named a 2024 Memory Care Innovation Award Winner.

To become a Memory Care Innovation Award winner, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who knows how to put vision into action, and serve as an advocate for those living with memory-related disorders and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.

Kowinsky sat down with Home Health Care News to talk about how family caregiver support and coaching should be an automatic part of dementia care.

What drew you to working in memory care?

As a child, I remember being referred to as an “old soul” before I even knew what that meant.

My grandparents were always some of my favorite people in the world. My initial career path was in nutrition, and then health care quality improvement, and I was very happy and fulfilled in my work.

When my Nan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and my mother and I became caregivers, and I came to understand firsthand what families on this journey experience, I felt called to take my “improvement mindset” and channel it toward helping to reduce suffering and improve quality of life for families walking this path.

What’s your biggest lesson learned since starting to work in memory care?

In our business we often say, “If you’ve met one person living with dementia, you’ve met one person living with dementia.” What this refers to is that every person with the disease looks different, depending on the type of dementia they have, the part of their brain that is being affected, and who they were before the onset of dementia.

I’d like to add, “If you’ve met one family on the dementia journey, you’ve met one family on the dementia journey.” Every family experiences and processes this disease differently, and often individuals in the very same family experience it differently from one another as well. It is critical to understand the journey from the family’s perspective, in order to be able to understand where they’re at and how we can support them in the way they want to be supported. To do that though, you have to do a whole lot more listening than talking.

If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of memory care, what would it be?

Family caregiver support and coaching would be an automatic part of every treatment plan with a new dementia diagnosis.

What is the biggest obstacle to being innovative in memory care, and how do you try to overcome that obstacle?

The biggest obstacle right now is that the conversation around dementia is still very negative, focusing on losses and what a person can no longer do, and the fact that there is no cure and that it is eventually fatal. When faced with a new diagnosis, families are told to get their affairs in order and are given little insight on what they can do now to promote good days. No wonder people delay getting a diagnosis!

The conversation around dementia needs to be changed, and at Dementia360 we are working to change it. Caregivers need to feel empowered and supported, and to understand that they have the power to influence what the disease looks like in their family member more than any medication ever could.

In a word, how would you describe the future of memory care?

I would describe the future of memory care being at HOME. I would foresee it being more like hospice, where the vast majority of care is provided at home – by family and by trained professionals. And then, for symptoms that cannot be managed at home, a person would transition to long-term care either temporarily until symptoms are better managed or until the end of life.

If you could give advice to yourself looking back to your first day in the industry, what would it be and why?

The work will never be done until there are no more families experiencing dementia. Our program can always be improved upon to better meet the needs of the next family we serve. We may have amassed all of the knowledge in the world or have all of the resources at our fingertips, but to a family just starting the journey, it is critical to meet them at the start line right where they are at and match the information you share with the information and support they need right at that moment.

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Gary Skole, the founder and CEO of AlzBetter, has been named a 2024 Memory Care Innovation Award Winner.

To become a Memory Care Innovation Award winner, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who knows how to put vision into action, and serve as an advocate for those living with memory-related disorders and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.

Skole sat down with Home Health Care News to chat about innovating memory care in the home, the challenges that patients and their families face, and a better future.

What drew you to working in memory care?

In my case, I owned a home care business. And I finally realized how little I knew about memory care and how complex it was. I just really didn’t have an understanding of that.

Once I learned that, I really couldn’t find any information or training that was really more specific to caring for people in the home. Everything that I found was tailored more towards nursing homes and retirement communities, and I really couldn’t find what I was looking for to train my staff and do a better job of caring for people in the home. 

Ultimately, I ended up developing materials that we could use at our own company to help our staff do a better job. As I looked into it, I came to the realization that I wasn’t alone, that really nobody knew what they were doing – including hospitals and primary care physicians, but particularly home care providers.

I saw an opportunity to try and bring what I was learning to more organizations, so they could ultimately provide better care for the seniors that are trying to live at home.

What’s your biggest lesson learned since starting to work in memory care?

It’s hard. This is a really challenging situation because of the complexities. When you’re talking about dementia care, there’s many different types of dementia. And people can have Alzheimer’s, they can have Lewy Body, they can have vascular or they can have a combination of multiple. And then you can throw behavioral health issues like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, all that on top of that.

And you can’t see that.

The companies that we are trying to work with, they have to be willing to invest a lot of time. And it’s hard to get companies to do that. What I’m finding is that it requires a simpler approach. And that’s how we’ve done this as well – a simplified version of care that more people could use and still provide support. That’s been our approach. And now we’re building AI into the whole way of doing this. We can have that dementia expert in the form of AI, and have that not replace our humans, but accompany them all the time on their phone. Now, they always have that expert support at all times. 

If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of memory care, what would it be?

These families are really struggling. It’s hard on them financially, it’s hard on them emotionally.

I wish there were more services and more support for those individuals. And that’s what we’re trying to make happen.

What is the biggest obstacle to being innovative in memory care, and how do you try to overcome that obstacle?

I think it’s just the complexity of dealing with what we’re dealing with. We have to be creative.

In a word, how would you describe the future of memory care?

I would say hope or promise.

If you could give yourself advice looking back to your first day in the industry, what would it be?

I would really focus and commit to doing nothing but memory care, because I think the market is big enough. And the need is great enough. Generalizing is great, but I think being just focused on memory care, and trying to get the word out and the program out, I think that is what I would do.

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Dr. Shadi Gholizadeh, the head of quality and clinical development at TheKey, has been named a 2024 Memory Care Innovation Award Winner.

To become a Memory Care Innovation Award winner, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who knows how to put vision into action, and serve as an advocate for those living with memory-related disorders and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.

Gholizadeh sat down with Home Health Care News to talk about the “limitless” opportunities that lie in the future of memory care.

What drew you to working in memory care?

For me, it has always been the blend of scientific challenge and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of people living with cognitive changes and their families.

I was very interested in helping adults who want to plan for their own long-term aging, or support their parents in planning, and in considering how the goals, wishes and preferences could be honored alongside any cognitive changes that happen.

What’s your biggest lesson learned since starting to work in memory care?

The biggest lesson I have learned is the importance of tailored, holistic, person-centered care that involves the whole family. I have learned about the importance of providing evidence-based education to people living with dementia and their families and professional care partners about what excellent care and a strong quality of life can look like so that they are empowered to advocate for that.

Each person’s experience, cherished identities, values, goals, family and social structure, dynamics, other health comorbidities and resources will be unique. And, thus, require an approach that can both scale and be highly tailored for that person and family.

If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of memory care, what would it be?

I would like to find ways to integrate more adaptive technologies that can provide personalized care at scale.

We need innovative solutions that can supplement direct care through technology – whether it’s expanded cognitive engagement, more opportunities for social connection, education and training, monitoring key health and psychosocial metrics, or understanding what a flexible and optimal daily routine may look like. To do this successfully, bringing the right multidisciplinary stakeholders and people living with cognitive changes and their families to the table is necessary to design with an eye on accessibility, usefulness and impact.

What is the biggest obstacle to being innovative in memory care, and how do you try to overcome that obstacle?

One of the biggest obstacles to innovation in memory care is the challenge of aligning new approaches and technologies within existing frameworks and practices. This is why we value and invest in a multidisciplinary scientific advisory board with rigor across different disciplines but who all have a strong passion for more holistic and person-centered care.

We advocate for continuous education and collaboration among people living with dementia, health care providers, professional and family caregivers/care partners, and researchers. By creating an environment and culture where shared knowledge and innovation are celebrated, we can collectively challenge ourselves to expect more out of memory care.

In a word, how would you describe the future of memory care?

Limitless.

The future of memory care holds immense promise, as interdisciplinary approaches and technology are interfacing more and more to create more effective, timely, compassionate and personalized care strategies. We need to ensure we are including people living with dementia and those who care with them in these rooms so that solutions are most relevant and impactful.

What quality must all Memory Care Innovation Award winners possess?

Curiosity is essential. This quality fuels a relentless pursuit of knowledge and drive to improve care practices, leading to the types of innovations that can make a real impact on the lives of those living with cognitive changes, their families and the professionals dedicated to providing support.

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Kara Harvey, the founder and CEO of Elder-Well Adult Day Program, has been named a 2024 Memory Care Innovation Award Winner.

To become a Memory Care Innovation Award winner, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who knows how to put vision into action, and serve as an advocate for those living with memory-related disorders and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.

Harvey sat down with Home Health Care News to talk about the importance of adult day programs, supporting family members of memory care recipients and much more.

What drew you to working in memory care? 

My journey into memory care began 30 years ago when I started working as a home health aide in senior care.

During this time, I witnessed firsthand the profound sense of isolation and loneliness many seniors experienced, particularly those with memory impairments. These experiences deeply moved me and inspired a desire to change the way care was delivered. I wanted to create an environment where individuals with dementia could receive not only excellent care, but also meaningful engagement and a sense of community.

This passion led to the founding of the Elder-Well Adult Day Program, where our focus is on enhancing the quality of life, promoting dignity and providing vital support to both participants and their families.

What’s your biggest lesson learned since starting to work in memory care?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since starting to work in memory care is the incredible importance of empathy and patience. Every individual experiencing dementia has a unique journey, and understanding their world requires us to truly listen and connect on a human level. This field has taught me that small gestures of kindness, consistency and creating a safe, engaging environment can profoundly impact the well-being of our participants.

Additionally, I’ve learned the value of supporting and educating families, as they are essential partners in the care process.

If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of memory care, what would it be?

If I could change one thing with an eye toward the future of memory care, it would be to secure greater government recognition and funding for dementia care and caregiver support.

As the numbers of those aging and living with Alzheimer’s rapidly grow, it is imperative that we address this looming crisis with comprehensive resources and policies. Increased funding would enable the development of more specialized care programs, enhance caregiver training and provide much-needed support for families. This proactive investment would not only improve the quality of life for individuals living with dementia, but also alleviate the immense emotional and financial burdens on caregivers. Prioritizing dementia care at a governmental level is essential to ensure that our society can meet the challenges of an aging population with dignity and compassion.

What is the biggest obstacle to being innovative in memory care, and how do you try to overcome the obstacle?

One of the biggest obstacles to being innovative in memory care is introducing the importance and value of adult day care, which remains an underrepresented service in the industry. Many people are unaware of the significant benefits that adult day programs provide, such as enhancing the quality of life for individuals with dementia and offering crucial respite and support for caregivers.

To overcome this obstacle, we focus on raising awareness through community outreach, education and collaboration with health care providers. By showcasing the positive impacts of our services and sharing success stories, we aim to shift perceptions and highlight the critical role that adult day care plays in the continuum of care. Additionally, we advocate for policy changes and increased funding to support and expand these vital services, ensuring they become a recognized and integral part of memory care.

In a word, how would you describe the future of memory care?

Transformative

What quality must all Memory Care Innovation Award winners possess?

One key quality stands out above all: a profound commitment to enhancing the lives of those living with memory impairments.

Whether through groundbreaking technology, innovative programming, or compassionate care models, this year’s inaugural award recipients all demonstrate a genuine dedication to improving the quality of life for individuals with cognitive challenges.

This commitment is evident in their ability to create solutions that are not only effective, but also empathetic and person-centered, recognizing the unique needs and experiences of each individual in their care.

The mark of a true Memory Care Innovation Award winner lies in their unwavering dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.

Their innovations not only improve care and support, but also promote dignity, independence and well-being for individuals experiencing memory loss and their families.

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Monique Frahm, Care Educator with Trualta, has been named a 2024 Memory Care Innovation Award Winner.

To become a Memory Care Innovation Award winner, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who knows how to put vision into action, and serve as an advocate for those living with memory-related disorders and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.

Frahm sat down with Home Health Care News to talk about accepting the hard-to-solve aspects of memory care, supporting caregivers and personalized approaches to care.

What drew you to working in memory care?

Before beginning my career at Trualta, I had experience working as a Registered Nurse in hospital and home care settings. I often cared for individuals with dementia and assisted their families in their care. I quickly recognized the many nuances that come with this condition and the care required. It is complex and incredibly individualized. This drew me to work more closely with memory care and family caregivers. Hence, my career at Trualta began.

A large portion of our caregivers are caring for someone with dementia. Assisting them in this long and challenging journey is incredibly rewarding. I respect all of them very much, and I am honored to assist them in their journey as much as I can.

What’s your biggest lesson learned since starting to work in memory care?

We don’t have all the answers. As much as we want all the answers and we want to be able to fix every problem or gap that there is, we don’t and we can’t. My personal mission is to help as many people as I can. Caregivers come to me for guidance and solutions to their problems.

While I always do absolutely everything I can to help, I often wish that I had a magic wand to fix problems that I can’t fix. Caregivers need more time in their days. They need more support, in terms of respite support, financial support and emotional support. While I can help in some aspects, I can’t fix it. That is a hard pill to swallow, but it’s also an incredible source of motivation to keep going, to keep finding solutions and to keep working to close those gaps.

If you could give advice to yourself looking back to your first day in the industry, what would it be and why?

Believe in what you know, but never stop learning. Your knowledge, training and life experience will guide you, but your willingness to listen, learn and adapt will lead to impactful change in people’s lives. Continuous learning is what leads us to success. It is through a collective effort of perpetual learning and adaptation that we can address complex issues, develop innovative solutions, and make a lasting difference in memory care.

In a word, how would you describe the future of memory care?

Transformative.

If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of memory care, what would it be?

If I could change one thing with an eye toward the future of memory care, it would be to enhance the personalization of care approaches, recognizing the highly individualized nature of memory care for each patient. Every person experiencing memory loss has a unique set of experiences, preferences and needs that should be at the core of their care plan.

Understanding their life history, interests, daily routines and personal preferences allows for the creation of tailored care strategies that resonate on a personal level. By continually adapting and evolving these personalized care plans in response to the patient’s changing condition and preferences, we ensure that care remains relevant and effective. This deeply personalized approach not only improves the quality of life for patients but creates a more sustainable environment for caregivers, ultimately leading to more successful memory care outcomes. Personalizing experiences has been one of Trualta’s focuses, and we’ve seen the benefits of it.

What is the biggest obstacle to being innovative in memory care, and how do you try to overcome that obstacle?

A big obstacle to innovation in memory care often lies in resistance to change. In my experience, caregivers and patients may resist change due to comfort with current care practices or fear of added complexity. Involving caregivers and patients early in the innovation process can foster trust and address their specific needs and preferences. Overall, fostering a culture of openness to innovation and continuous improvement is crucial in overcoming resistance to change.

What quality must all Memory Care Innovation Award winners possess?

I believe that all Memory Care Innovation Award winners must embody a profound commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals affected by cognitive conditions, both those receiving care and those providing it. This commitment entails an unwavering determination to improve the quality of care, however that may look in their field of work. For me, this commitment is embodied through my role at Trualta, where we focus on delivering high-quality education and consistent support. This is where my commitment to memory care lies.

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Darci Henry, Care Coach with Trualta, has been named a 2024 Memory Care Innovation Award Winner.

To become a Memory Care Innovation Award winner, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who knows how to put vision into action, and serve as an advocate for those living with memory-related disorders and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.

Henry sat down with Home Health Care News to talk about her journey into the memory care field and how resistance to change can suppress true innovation. During the conversation, Henry also discussed the funding landscape and how memory care required a tailored approach to each individual’s situation.

What drew you to working in memory care?

From a young age, I was naturally drawn to older adults, as I was raised in my grandmother’s beauty shop in rural Missouri.

I spent countless hours reading to the ladies while they sat under the hair dryer during their weekly “wash and set.” This was a formative experience, and I followed my interest in older adults to college where I studied gerontology.

My passion for memory care was ignited during this time when I had the opportunity to complete a practicum in a memory care facility. I fell in love with the field, felt a profound connection to the residents and their families, and made the decision to pursue my passion as my career.

What’s your biggest lesson learned since starting to work in memory care?

After working in memory care for 18+ plus years, I’ve learned that every family’s situation is unique.

No two experiences are the same, and this diversity requires a deeply personalized approach to care. This line of work requires flexibility and empathy.

If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of memory care, what would it be?

If I could change one thing about the future of memory care, it would be access to care, support and resources to all families, regardless of their circumstances. Every family deserves the highest quality of care and support, but too often, disparities in resources can lead to unequal experiences.

What is the biggest obstacle to being innovative in memory care, and how do you try to overcome that obstacle?

The biggest obstacle to being innovative in memory care is often funding. Innovation requires investment in technology, education and people.

Additionally, resistance to change from both organizations, regulatory bodies and families can suppress innovation. It can be difficult to venture from traditional methods of care.

In a word, how would you describe the future of memory care?

Essential.

The future of memory care is essential. We are facing an aging population and with that comes increasing rates of dementia and related conditions. Innovation is crucial to ensure quality of life, dignity, safety, personalized care, and ongoing support for caregivers and families.

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Kim Mulquin-Shumway, VP of clinical compliance at Nevvon, has been named a 2024 Memory Care Innovation Award Winner.

To become a Memory Care Innovation Award winner, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who knows how to put vision into action, and serve as an advocate for those living with memory-related disorders and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.

Mulquin-Shumway sat down with Home Health Care News to talk about what it will take to elevate memory care in the U.S., the role technology could play in that and more.

What drew you to working in memory care?

My personal experiences and professional background have uniquely shaped my interest in working in memory care. In my teens, my uncle was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. I witnessed firsthand the stress and challenges my aunt went through trying to take care of him at home. Later, in my young adult years, when I was raising my children, my grandmother’s battle with dementia provided a deep, personal insight into the challenges and needs associated with memory-related health issues. These experiences fostered a profound empathy and understanding, reinforcing the need for safe, personalized, high-quality care.

Professionally, I have been a nurse for 35 years and have been involved in health care quality for over 25 years. Much of my career has been in the post-acute industry, focusing on quality improvement and education. As I worked in the long-term setting in the realm of quality improvement, it became evident that the residents and staff working in the dementia wing needed special care and training.

This blend of personal and professional experiences not only drew me to this field but also equipped me with the skills and understanding necessary to excel in caring for individuals with memory impairments.

What’s your biggest lesson learned since working in memory care?

The biggest lesson learned is the importance of personalized care. Working with residents, families and staff in memory care highlighted how each individual’s experience with memory loss is unique, requiring tailored approaches that respect their history, personality and current abilities.

My experiences have taught me about the resilience of families dealing with memory diseases and the critical support networks needed for both patients and caregivers. Providing personalized care not only improves the quality of life for those with memory conditions but also supports caregivers in delivering the most effective and empathetic care possible.

If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of memory care, what would it be?

If I could change one thing with an eye toward the future of memory care, it would be integrating more advanced technology and data analytics into the care process.

This could include using AI-driven tools for personalized care planning, real-time monitoring systems to improve patient safety, and predictive analytics to better understand and manage the progression of cognitive decline.

Enhancing technological integration would not only improve efficiency and outcomes but also empower caregivers with better tools and insights, leading to more proactive and tailored care strategies for individuals with memory impairments.

What is the biggest obstacle to being innovative in memory care, and how do you try to overcome that obstacle?

One of the biggest obstacles to innovation in memory care is often the resistance to change and the challenge of securing funding for new initiatives. Many health care organizations are slow to adopt new technologies and methods, especially when they involve substantial shifts in traditional care models or funding.

Building strong cases for innovation through evidence-based research is crucial to overcome these hurdles. Demonstrating new approaches’ effectiveness and potential cost savings can help persuade stakeholders. Networking with industry professionals and participating in forums can provide opportunities to learn from others’ successes and failures, which can be invaluable in navigating the complexities of health care innovation.

Additionally, partnering with technology firms and academic institutions can lead to pilot programs showcasing the benefits of innovative practices. These pilot programs can serve as proof of concept, making it easier to argue for broader implementation across the care spectrum.

In a word, how would you describe the future of memory care?

Progressing

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WTWH Media Healthcare recognizes these passionate leaders that aim to define the future of aging in America. Each nominee’s vision is unique, but they are all centered on the same mission: delivering high-quality cognitive care, boosting health outcomes for those living with memory-related disorders, and supporting the people who care for them.

“This inaugural class of Memory Care Innovation Award winners have clearly shown an exceptional commitment to enhancing the lives of those living with memory-related disorders,” stated George Yedinak, Chief Revenue Officer of WTWH Media Healthcare. “Individually, they have each displayed a remarkable dedication to ensuring the well-being and safety of the memory care residents, patients and families they serve. It will be exciting to see how the future of cognitive care delivery will continue to evolve with talent like this.”

The inaugural class of Memory Care Innovation Award winners recognizes individuals across the care continuum, all of whom will be featured in upcoming WTWH Media Healthcare publications and invited to attend WTWH Media Healthcare’s BRAIN Conference taking place in Chicago, Illinois on May 16, 2024.

For more information about the program and to view the complete Memory Care Innovation Awards Class of 2024, please visit innovation.memorycarebusiness.com.

This year’s inaugural Memory Care Innovation Awards honorees are as follows:

Home Health & Home Care

Amy Kowinsky – Executive Director, Dementia360

Darci Henry – Care Coach, Trualta

Dr. Shadi Gholizadeh – Head of Quality and Clinical Development, TheKey

Gary Skole – Founder, Alzbetter LLC

Jane Yousey – Director, Organizational Learning and Development, FirstLight Home Care

Kara Harvey – Founder and CEO, Elder-Well Adult Day Program

Kim Mulquin-Shumway – VP of Clinical Compliance, Nevvon

Monique Frahm – Care Educator, Trualta

Staci Rogers – Vice President of Operations, Visiting Angels

Behavioral Health

Alban Maino – CEO and Founder, Memory Lane TV

Hospice & Palliative Care

Laura Christensen – Director of Education, St. Croix Hospice

Mery Lossada, MD – Chief Medical Officer, Hospice of Marion County

Senior Housing & Senior Living

Amber Dahle – Corporate Director of Memory Care and Programming, Charter Senior Living

Amelia Schafer – Area Director of Memory Care, Ascent Living Communities

Bridget Banks – Assisted Living & Memory Care Administrator, Friendship Village Senior Services

Elizabeth Thompson – Regional Director of Memory Care, Arrow Senior Living Management

Jasmina Alimanovic – Memory Care Director, Pegasus Senior Living

Jessica Fredericksen – Director of Brain Health, Goodwin House Incorporated

Jill Kreider – President, Azura Memory Care

Joshua Freitas – Chief Research Officer, CERTUS Senior Living

Juliana Rocha – National Director of Nexus Programs and Engagements, Silverado

Justin Valdes – Memory Care Activities Director, The Palace at Weston

Kaitlin Reilly – Corporate Director of Cognitive Well-Being, Acts Retirement-Life Communities, Inc.

Kasey Larsen – Programming Director, Benchmark Senior Living – The Falls at Cordingly Dam

Kelly McCarthy – Vice President, Resident Engagement and Memory Care Services, Northbridge Companies

Kelly Moran – Director of Aging & Dementia Services – StoryPoint Group

Maureen Charlton – Director of Memory Support Programming and Services, Ingleside at King Farm

Melissa Dillon – Corporate Director of Memory Care, Senior Resource Group

Michael Chalfin – Executive Vice President, Samuelson Furniture

Nicole Summers – Assisted Living and Memory Care Administrator, Friendship Village

Patricia Gaudio – Dementia Services Educator, Williamsburg Landing

Ryan Muzzey – Director of Memory Care, Clarendale of St. Peters

Shirley Nickels – Chief Operating Officer, SafelyYou

Terry Lallky – Vice President of Clinical Services, Anthem Memory Care

Theda Heiserman – Education Specialist, CERTUS Senior Living

Valerie Cooper – Vice President – Life Plan Communities, Lutheran Senior Services

Skilled Nursing

Jolyn Tibbetts – CNA-Certified Dementia Practitioner, Champion Care

Meghan Niemeyer – Speech-Language Pathologist and Senior Director of Rehab, Powerback Rehabilitation

Patty Fantauzzo – Therapy Program Manager, Julia Temple Healthcare Center

Shelby King – Director of Rehab, Legend Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation – New Braunfels

For more information about the program and to view the complete Memory Care Innovation Awards Class of 2024, please visit innovation.memorycarebusiness.com.

The post WTWH Media Healthcare Announces the Inaugural Class of the 2024 Memory Care Innovation Awards appeared first on Home Health Care News.