Innovations in Memory Care: From Incremental to Transformational Mike Splaine | CEO, Cognitive Solutions

Jennifer Carson, PhD | Cognitive Solutions Associate

• Largest U.S. technology provider to LTPAC, serving 11,000 facility-based care settings and 1,400 home care and home health agencies.

• The MatrixCare for Senior Living Solution (MCSL)

• Flexible to meet providers’ needs relative to their specific business model, today and in the future.

Whether your model is a social one, a medical model, or a combination of both, the MCSL Solution helps providers:

• Maximize occupancy and length of stay

• Increase the quality and consistency of care documentation, eliminating paper processes and improving compliance

• Improve coordination and interoperability across the continuum of care, including with acute care providers

Argentum/MatrixCare Partnership

• Created in September, 2015 --> three-year corporate partnership

• Goal:

• Support the development of cutting-edge education and research programming focused on quality measures and memory care programming in senior living.

• The partnership will result in the development of programs including:

• One-day Memory Care Executive Symposium• New annual educational event bringing together experts in the field to share best practices

among providers and their partners.

• Focus on issues related to memory care resident experience, technology, operations, business trends, and other key topics in the field.

• Series of Memory Care Executive Reports, published in Argentum’s bimonthly Senior Living Executive magazine focusing on best practices, provider requirements and clinical outcomes, among other topics.

• Suite of Case Studies and White Papers focusing on issues affecting memory care operators.

Purpose of Project

The goal of this project was to specifically look for innovations that improve resident care and quality of life for assisted living residents with dementia in the following areas:

• environmental design,

• programming,

• dining/nutrition,

• education and training

• technology.

Innovations with an evidence base were preferable, or at the very least, well evaluated in order to be considered for replication by other providers.

Purpose of Project

A white paper will be coming from this work. This is a highlight session.

The Innovations Paper will be Phase I of a multi phase project

Phase II will provide guidance on replication of the innovations by other senior living providers

What was our meaning of innovation?

New

Edgy

Experimental but evidence informed/maybe evidence based

Method

Research was conducted for innovations through:

• Literature

• Survey to Argentum members

• Expertise of Cognitive Solutions Associates

Online Searches were conducted through:

• Google

• PubMed

• Organizations that distribute innovation awards

Survey to Argentum members:

• 188 Responses

Method continued…

Argentum Memory Care Roundtable:

• In March 2016, the Memory Care Roundtable met to discuss and rate the nominated innovations.

• 50 innovations were presented to the roundtable to discuss and determine the level of innovation of each practice.

Nominations were rated and areas in need of further research were discussed.

Innovation Rating Definitions

Incremental: Innovations that keeps your existing offering competitive.

Breakthrough: Innovations with new value propositions that expand your business into new markets with new advantages.

Transformational: Innovations that transform the world, changing markets and lives forever.

Aggregate Ratings

Out of the 50 innovations presented to the roundtable, these achieved breakthrough or transformational rating.

Innovation Highlights

The following slides highlight innovations from the following categories:

• Programming

• Technology

• Dining

• Environment & Design

• Education & Training

• Other

Programming Innovations

• Reflections: The Nasher Museum Alzheimer’s Program

• Art tours for persons with dementia and families

• A guide provides a structure for reflecting tailored to person with impairment

• Scripted Improv Project

• Actually structured as a clinical trial

• Creates a theater experience with persons with impairment

• Alternative to drug therapy for depression and agitation

Technology Innovations

• The Assam Project- Assistants for Safe Mobility

• Technology based assistance with navigating neighborhoods

• Some protection against becoming lost

• Art Based Tablet Application

• Art viewing and reflection via tablets

Dining Innovations

• “Don’t Give Me Eggs that Bounce”

• Cookbook for and encouraging participating of persons with dementia

• Evidence informed advice on textured foods, swallowing issues

• Brain Healthy Cooking Program

• Based on Mediterranean diet findings

• Also sound for diabetics

• Even persons with dementia benefit from eating healthily!

Environment & Design Innovations

• Intergenerational Living

• Students swap rent for engagement with older residents

• Uses unused space, improves security, reduces isolation, starts some careers

• Art Gallery in a Wandering Path

• Permanent installation

• Secure walkway between facility and city

• Neighbors welcome

Education and Training Innovations

• LIVING in My Today

• Built in part by people with dementia but not just for persons with dementia

• 6 modules over time with sound adult education approach

• Research Partner MAREP

• Presence Care

• Mindfulness Practice

• Stress reduction desired outcome

Other Innovations

• Ibasho

• Lower income environments

• Intergenerational

• Dementia and age friendly design

Discussion: The Context of Innovation

How do either state or federal regulations influence your ability to implement innovative practices?

What are your thoughts on the level of innovation in the area of dementia

care?

What are some of the barriers to disseminating information about

innovations?

How would you assess the overall education on dementia care?

Our Core Capabilities: Cognitive Solutions

Consultants on dementia and other cognitive impairment

Deep understanding of caregivers

Translate policy trends and change into programs

Created Thinking about Thinking™ protocols for acute care and dementia

Expert speakers and trainers

Help our clients derive a market advantage

msplaine@cognitivesol.com

www.cognitivesol.com

1.443.630.9226