Memory Care Innovation Award Winner: Trina Anderson, Divisional Director of Memory Care, Senior Lifestyle

Trina Anderson, Divisional Director of Memory Care at Senior Lifestyle, has been named a 2025 Memory Care Innovation Award winner by Senior Housing News.

The Memory Care Innovation Awards program is designed to acknowledge passionate and progressive trade members who’re shaping the way forward for cognitive care throughout behavioral well being, dwelling well being and residential care, hospice and palliative care, senior housing and senior residing, and expert nursing. To change into a Memory Care Innovation Award winner, a person should be nominated by their friends. The candidate ought to be a high-performing worker who is aware of the way to put imaginative and prescient into motion, serving as an advocate for these residing with memory-related issues and the dedicated professionals who guarantee their well-being.

Anderson sat down with Senior Housing News to share her journey caring for sufferers and residents with cognitive care wants, her ideas on the way forward for cognitive care in senior housing & senior residing, and rather more. To study extra in regards to the Memory Care Innovation Awards program and think about this yr’s winners, go to https://innovation.memorycarebusiness.com/.

SHN: How lengthy have you ever been part of the reminiscence care, senior housing & senior residing trade?

Anderson: I’ve been part of the Senior Housing and Senior Living trade for 37 years. Over the course of those many years, I’ve seen the panorama evolve in unbelievable methods, and I’m proud to have grown alongside it, at all times striving to fulfill residents the place they’re and elevate the standard of life for these in our care.

SHN: What drew you to caring for sufferers/residents with cognitive care wants?

Anderson: When I first began working with seniors, I discovered myself really having fun with the time I spent listening to their life tales and studying from their experiences. They carry a lot knowledge and data, and I spotted how a lot I may achieve just by being current with them. That connection impressed me to proceed on this subject.

I needed to present again by bringing pleasure, consolation, and peace to them throughout their later years. It’s extremely significant to me to be a constructive a part of their lives, particularly as they navigate the challenges of cognitive decline. The alternative to construct relationships, earn their belief, and be a supply of stability throughout occasions of uncertainty is a accountability I by no means take as a right.

SHN: If you can change one factor about cognitive care within the reminiscence care, senior housing & senior residing trade, what wouldn’t it be?

Anderson: Too usually, folks draw back from partaking with these residing with dementia or different cognitive impairments – whether or not out of concern, discomfort, or misunderstanding. This results in isolation and the lack of individuality for many who deserve dignity, pleasure, and significant connection. I’d advocate for a shift in mindset: to fulfill folks the place they’re, embrace their actuality quite than problem it, and concentrate on who they’re, not simply on what they’ve misplaced.

Cognitive decline doesn’t erase an individual’s id, feelings, or worth. By selling empathy, coaching employees and households to have interaction in person-centered methods, and constructing environments that commemorate individuality, we will rework reminiscence care into a spot of true belonging and respect.

SHN: If you had a crystal ball, what do you suppose will most impression your potential to offer cognitive care within the reminiscence care, senior housing & senior residing trade within the subsequent 5 years?

Anderson: Without continued training, we miss crucial alternatives to personalize care. The extra we perceive about these situations, the higher outfitted we’re to assist people in significant, person-centered methods. Education and collaboration between suppliers, physicians, and caregivers shall be key to bettering care outcomes and honoring the person experiences of these residing with cognitive change.

SHN: If you can describe cognitive care within the reminiscence care, senior housing & senior residing trade in a single phrase, what wouldn’t it be and why?

Anderson: Acceptance.

Providing nice cognitive care begins with assembly people the place they’re. Acceptance permits us to know their expertise with out judgment and supply assist that aligns with their present actuality. It’s not about specializing in what’s been misplaced, however on what stays. When we settle for somebody’s cognitive journey, we open the door to deeper connection, higher dignity, and care that actually honors the particular person in entrance of us.

SHN: What’s been the most important lesson you’ve realized all through your profession?

Anderson: That people with cognitive decline want sturdy advocates. They usually can’t converse for themselves, so it’s our accountability to teach, assist, and guarantee they obtain the identical rights and dignity as any growing older particular person. Over the years, I’ve realized that being an advocate means exhibiting up on daily basis with intention, compassion, and a dedication to do what’s proper – even when it’s not straightforward.

SHN: If you can give your self recommendation on the primary day within the reminiscence care, senior housing & senior residing trade, what wouldn’t it be and why?

Anderson: Don’t be scared to steer with love and respect. These people deserve compassion, persistence, and dignity, and constructing belief begins with the way you deal with them from day one. Your coronary heart will information you simply as a lot as your coaching, and in lots of instances, much more. Be open, be current, and don’t underestimate the impression of merely exhibiting up with kindness.

SHN: In your opinion, what qualities ought to all Memory Care Innovation Award winners possess?

Anderson: They ought to suppose exterior the field, convey recent concepts, and most significantly, be sturdy advocates – prepared to talk up for many who can’t converse for themselves.

True innovation in reminiscence care comes from compassion-driven management. It’s not solely about new strategies or applied sciences, however about deeply understanding the folks we serve and being relentless in our efforts to enhance their high quality of life.