Mission

 
The mission of IDEAS Institute is to provide solutions that improve the lives of older adults through the conduct of rigorous applied research. Our highly respected staff examine the therapeutic potential of the environment—physical, social and organizational—as it relates to frail and impaired older adults. Serving older persons, their caregivers, and the community, the IDEAS Institute seeks to be a premier resource of information and environment - behavioral research centered on improving care and quality of life for people with chronic forms of physical and cognitive decline, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease. Our areas of expertise lie in dementia care, long term care, environmental design and modifications for older adults and those with dementia, caregiver /staff education and research. Ingenuity, innovative solutions, and integrity are core values of the organization.


History

The IDEAS Institute is a recently incorporated entity having received its 501(c)(3) status in March 2000. The IDEAS Institute is the culmination of several years of effort on the part of a small but highly regarded group of professionals. Dr. Margaret Calkins is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of environments for elderly, particularly people with dementia. As an architect and gerontologist, with a background in psychology, she has worked extensively on creating low-cost solutions for facilities trying to improve their environments and programming for people with dementia. She is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences around the world.

Jennifer Brush, MA, CCC/SLP, Execcutive Director, is a highly regarded Speech-Language Pathologist known for her work in the areas of memory and swallowing interventions for people with dementia.   As a sought after speaker, Ms. Brush offers interactive and educational presentations that help audiences bridge the gap between current research findings and the care needs of their clients.  She has applied research experience as the Principal Investigator on both government and private foundation grants.  Ms. Brush is the co-author of A Therapy Technique for Improving Memory: Spaced Retrieval and Time Well Spent with the Older Adult, as well as the author of several articles. 

Stacey Biddle, COTA/L has combined her creative talents with degrees in Art Therapy and Occupational Therapy by providing direct services and conducting applied research for the past 15 years to seniors in long term, subacute, assisted living, outpatient, home health care and healthcare travel assignment.  She has extensive experience adapting and modifying the environment to enhance the quality of life of older adults. In addition, Ms. Biddle has applied her expertise through project management of research on HIV, dementia, adapted wardrobe systems and incontinence studies. Ms. Biddle is a co-author and co-editor of Bathing without a Battle: Person Directed Care of Individuals with Dementia as well as the author of several articles.

Other Team Members

Ms. Chari Weber, is widely recognized and admired for her pioneering work in the development of the Corinne Dolan Center at Heather Hill (an internationally acclaimed innovation and benchmark in long term care and a successful research center) as well as for developing the Nason Center at Breckenridge Village. Ms. Weber has years of experience in teaching direct care staff, administrators, and conference audiences about dementia care and about ethics in care, as well as about integrating the concerns and involvement of family members.

Kathryn Kilpatrick, MA, CCC/SLP is the founder and president of Communication Connection.  She received her Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology in 1968 from the University of Massachusetts. Kathryn is the author of over 30 products sold nationally including the Visiting Nurse Service Therapy Guides (Volumes 1-5) for Speech and Language Disorders.  She is a motivational speaker and trainer whose focus is on enhancing quality of life of for older adults and supporting their families, friends and caregivers.  Kathryn’s website (www.connectionsincommunication.com) provides a multitude of communication and activity suggestions that will enhance time spent with an older adult. 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Margaret P. Calkins, PhD., M Arch
Chair of the Board

Christine Bretz, CPA
Treasurer

Daniel Kendis, MD

Suzanne Sandusky
Secretary

David Schell, MBA, LNHA

Kimberly Van Haitsma, PhD

Gerald Weisman, PhD, M.Arch