Redefining Memory Care Engagement: New CAST Case Study

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With iN2L by LifeLoop, Carillon Senior Living enjoys high resident, staff, and family satisfaction.

Organizations seeking to engage their residents and streamline staff time can learn from Carillon Senior Living's success with the wealth of evidence-based interactive content from iN2L by LifeLoop, a LeadingAge Bronze Partner with CAST Focus.

A new LeadingAge CAST case study notes that this collaboration has not only improved Carillon's day-to-day operational efficiency, but also redefined what exceptional, person-centered engagement looks like in memory care.

About iN2L's Engagement Capabilities

Carillon, a LifeCare continuing care retirement community in Lubbock, TX, began using LifeLoop's tablets over seven years ago and has seen substantial gains in engagement among its memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation patients.

In 2018, to proactively offer all of its residents opportunities for wellness and lifelong enrichment, Carillon selected iN2L's interactive system. This innovation delivers a collection of 7,000 clinically informed games, music, videos, and therapeutic content. From the wide library, staff can choose experiences that fit residents' cognitive abilities, preferences, and personal interests. Residents can tap into these extensive offerings through a 23-inch touchscreen, which is mounted on a mobile cart with an adjustable articulating arm that ensures all residents can access it easily.

Positive Outcomes

Since implementing iN2L, Carillon has seen measurable improvements in staff efficiency, resident engagement, and family satisfaction.

Increasing Meaningful Staff Interactions

The system enables staff to easily select appropriate engagement content. As a result, professionals can shift their time from planning daily activities for three levels of dementia care to providing more one-on-one care for residents living with late-stage dementia. The shift in effort raises the quality of care for residents while increasing satisfaction for staff.

Improving Resident Engagement

In addition, staff can connect iN2L to a large-screen TV, engaging groups and creating shared experiences that build connections among residents. The system engages older adults on cognitive and emotional levels, enabling residents to maintain skills, feel positively challenged, and continue learning. Ultimately, iN2L activities increase residents' alertness, self-esteem, and sense of belonging-which has increased their participation and enjoyment.

Family Members Offer Praise

Another benefit is that iN2L fosters quality time with family. The content enables visitors to actively share time and memories with their loved one, through conversation starters as well as music, religious stories and texts, and classic television programs. Family members also appreciate that their loved one can join others in iN2L activities with dignity, across levels of functioning. This welcoming environment increases trust between families and staff, and the caring atmosphere differentiates Carillon from other facilities in family members' eyes.

Lessons Learned

One learning from Carillon's implementation is that comprehensive training and cross-departmental participation are critical to adoption success. Staff now have a new level of comfort with technology and find it exciting rather than intimidating. This has made them more willing to try new programs and they have seen more hands-on involvement with residents by the nursing staff through iN2L.

Another lesson was that engaging families early creates stronger resident participation and community bonds. When staff and families use the system together, it fosters deeper understanding, consistency, and connection across care settings.

To learn how you can replicate these successes at your organization, including tips on adoption and training, see the full case study.