Trina Anderson, Divisional Director of Reminiscence Care at Senior Way of life, has been named a 2025 Reminiscence Care Innovation Award winner by Senior Housing Information.
The Reminiscence Care Innovation Awards program is designed to acknowledge passionate and revolutionary business members who’re shaping the way forward for cognitive care throughout behavioral well being, house well being and residential care, hospice and palliative care, senior housing and senior residing, and expert nursing. To turn into a Reminiscence Care Innovation Award winner, a person have to be nominated by their friends. The candidate ought to be a high-performing worker who is aware of learn how 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 Information 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 concerning the Reminiscence Care Innovation Awards program and consider this 12 months’s winners, go to https://innovation.memorycarebusiness.com/.
SHN: How lengthy have you ever been part of the reminiscence care, senior housing & senior residing business?
Anderson: I’ve been part of the Senior Housing and Senior Residing business 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, all the time 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: Once I first began working with seniors, I discovered myself actually 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 might achieve just by being current with them. That connection impressed me to proceed on this subject.
I needed to offer again by bringing pleasure, consolation, and peace to them throughout their later years. It’s extremely significant to me to be a optimistic a part of their lives, particularly as they navigate the challenges of cognitive decline. The chance to construct relationships, earn their belief, and be a supply of stability throughout occasions of uncertainty is a duty I by no means take with no consideration.
SHN: If you happen to might change one factor about cognitive care within the reminiscence care, senior housing & senior residing business, what would it not be?
Anderson: Too usually, folks draw back from partaking with these residing with dementia or different cognitive impairments – whether or not out of worry, discomfort, or misunderstanding. This results in isolation and the lack of individuality for individuals who deserve dignity, pleasure, and significant connection. I might advocate for a shift in mindset: to fulfill folks the place they’re, embrace their actuality slightly than problem it, and give attention to 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 interact in person-centered methods, and constructing environments that commemorate individuality, we are able to rework reminiscence care into a spot of true belonging and respect.
SHN: If you happen to had a crystal ball, what do you suppose will most impression your means to supply cognitive care within the reminiscence care, senior housing & senior residing business within the subsequent 5 years?
Anderson: With out continued training, we miss essential alternatives to personalize care. The extra we perceive about these circumstances, the higher geared up we’re to assist people in significant, person-centered methods. Schooling and collaboration between suppliers, physicians, and caregivers might be key to bettering care outcomes and honoring the person experiences of these residing with cognitive change.
SHN: If you happen to might describe cognitive care within the reminiscence care, senior housing & senior residing business in a single phrase, what would it not be and why?
Anderson: Acceptance.
Offering nice cognitive care begins with assembly people the place they’re. Acceptance permits us to grasp 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. Once we settle for somebody’s cognitive journey, we open the door to deeper connection, better dignity, and care that actually honors the particular person in entrance of us.
SHN: What’s been the largest lesson you could have discovered all through your profession?
Anderson: That people with cognitive decline want sturdy advocates. They usually can’t communicate for themselves, so it’s our duty to coach, assist, and guarantee they obtain the identical rights and dignity as any growing old particular person. Through the years, I’ve discovered that being an advocate means exhibiting up daily with intention, compassion, and a dedication to do what’s proper – even when it’s not simple.
SHN: If you happen to might give your self recommendation on the primary day within the reminiscence care, senior housing & senior residing business, what would it not 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 circumstances, 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 Reminiscence Care Innovation Award winners possess?
Anderson: They need to suppose exterior the field, convey recent concepts, and most significantly, be sturdy advocates – keen to talk up for individuals who can’t communicate 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.
