New National Collaboration Aims to Strengthen Dementia Care Through Technology and Shared Learning
- ClarkLindsey
- Aug 30, 2019
- 2 min read
A new partnership among The Green House Project, Embodied Labs, and Project ECHO is bringing together virtual reality training and collaborative learning to improve dementia care across the country. Eleven senior living organizations—including ClarkLindsey—will participate in the first phase of this initiative, known as Best Life Impact.
What Happened
The Green House Project has launched a new effort called Best Life Impact, designed to help care teams deepen their understanding of dementia and strengthen their skills through innovative training models. The initiative brings together two established approaches:
Project ECHO, which uses virtual learning sessions to connect professionals across locations
Embodied Labs, which uses immersive virtual reality to help caregivers experience the world from the perspective of someone living with dementia
By combining these tools, the program aims to build empathy, expand knowledge, and support more person‑centered approaches to memory care.
Eleven organizations nationwide were selected to participate, including ClarkLindsey in Urbana. Other participants represent communities in Tennessee, New York, Colorado, New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, Mississippi, California, Rhode Island, and Florida.
Best Life Impact is part of the broader Green House 2.0 initiative, which focuses on advancing innovative care models and improving quality of life for older adults.
Why This Matters
Dementia care continues to evolve as providers look for ways to better support individuals living with cognitive change. Traditional training often focuses on clinical knowledge, but this initiative emphasizes empathy, communication, and real‑world understanding.
Virtual reality tools allow caregivers to briefly “step into the shoes” of someone experiencing dementia symptoms, helping them better understand sensory changes, confusion, and emotional responses. Meanwhile, Project ECHO’s collaborative learning model gives teams ongoing access to expert guidance and peer support.
For organizations like ClarkLindsey, participating in this initiative reinforces a commitment to thoughtful, person‑centered memory care and continuous learning.
Key Details at a Glance
Initiative Name: Best Life Impact
Lead Organization: The Green House Project
Training Components: Virtual reality experiences (Embodied Labs) and collaborative learning sessions (Project ECHO)
Purpose: Strengthen dementia care skills, empathy, and knowledge
Participants: Eleven senior living organizations nationwide, including ClarkLindsey
Part of: Green House 2.0, a broader innovation initiative
Broader Context
Across the aging‑services field, providers are exploring new ways to support people living with dementia. Technology‑enhanced training, experiential learning, and cross‑organizational collaboration are becoming increasingly important as the population ages and care needs grow more complex.
Best Life Impact reflects a national shift toward training models that go beyond traditional instruction, helping caregivers build deeper understanding and more meaningful connections with the people they support.
Source Attribution: This post is based on publicly reported information originally covered by McKnight’s Senior Living.
