We’re proud to announce the official launch of the Good People Foundation! Created to support the senior living industry, our Foundation is especially focused on uplifting nonprofit communities and advancing causes that directly benefit older adults.
From educational efforts that empower seniors to confidently navigate their living options, to supporting research and healthcare initiatives, the Good People Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of senior audiences and the future of senior living.
Following a successful retreat in Ouray, CO, we’re thrilled to share that we’ve already raised over $100,000!
We look forward to collaborating with industry leaders who share our passion for advancing Senior Living.
To support or donate to the Foundation, please visit: goodpeoplelr.com/foundation
Older adults are more active than ever, and they want to stay that way. Increasingly, they are embracing technology that helps keep them safe. However, they want to ‘KISS’ it – Keep It Simple, Stupid.
As Eric Markow, founder and CEO of Dual Path Connected Solutions, said, “We need to be able to leverage technology to enable people to continue to live an active lifestyle or have some sort of lifestyle fulfillment.” He added, “We need to create structures that enhance resident safety and security without it being invasive.”
It also is important to meet residents where they are and not overwhelm them with information or technology. One key is to realize that people have different preferences about how to communicate and receive information. For instance, Markow noted that many don’t check texts constantly and, as a result, these may pile up and go unread. He said, “We get pummeled with information every day. This can result in information overload, especially for older adults who didn’t grow up with technology.” Just because you send a text or email doesn’t that your older loved one is going to read it and respond to it promptly. It is important, Markow said, to put messages and information in their environment without them having to do anything. Devices such as picture frames connected to the Wi-Fi that enable instant sharing of photos and video are a perfect example of this. They want technology to be easy to use and not require a lot of time or complicated steps.
Another key, Markow said, is “boiling down information to what each resident wants instead of bombarding them with all kinds of things they may not use or want. Communities already have information about residents, including via their own technology that does things such as tracking resident participation in activities or dining habits and choices. “We can use what we know about people to match them with activities or groups that are engaging to them,” he suggested.
When technology works in senior living communities, it cannot only keep residents safe. Because they feel safe, they have the confidence to get out and about. “We know that one of the silent killers in senior living is isolation and withdrawal from society in general,” Markow said. Personalized technology that connects residents with the activities and hobbies they love – including real-time alerts and information – can allow them to easily be part of the community. For example, they can get calendars, reminders, updates via their TVs or wearable devices such as smart watches.
Living in Colorado, December means snow and, of course, the holidays. It’s a special time of year, but December 2019 was particularly memorable. That was when Good People officially took off.
We had the name, basic plans for two annual retreats, and – most importantly – the buy-in of a handful of vendors who shared our vision. These vendors would be our founding members and the first to be known as #TeamGoodPeople. They represented organizations of different types, size, and location. But we all shared a passion for innovative, high quality, person-centered senior care. This gave us a unique camaraderie and sense of purpose. We also believed in meetings and networking events that were all about #NoBooths.
But this was just the start. Now that I had my base of vendors, it was time to introduce Good People to some of my industry friends from the other side – those operators of senior housing. Appropriately enough, my first sit down happened at Christmastime – at an annual party hosted by Terry Rogers in his Castle Rock, CO, home. My wife Ali and I arrived a day early; and I sat with Terry in his living room, where I explained the vision for Good People and asked for his support. Before he could really respond, I asked, “How do I ‘name drop’ that you’re involved…in a professional manner?” His answer was quick and decisive: “You need an advisory committee.”
Energized by ideas and fueled by adult beverages, we spent the next few hours brainstorming about where this newly conceptualized advisory committee would take us and who might be approached to participate.
After Christmas, it was time for a road trip. Before you could say #TeamGoodPeople, my bags were backed; and I was headed to see Jill Sorenson from Life Care Services in sunny California. Of course, as a self-appointed golf nut and beach bum, a trip to California is always welcome, but this one was special. Jill and I met for dinner, and I broke the news: “I am leaving pharma and starting Good People. I could really use your support.” In fact, I told her that I couldn’t do this without her.
She responded with two simple words: “Of course.” But it was the delivery that got me. She teared up and told me she would be happy to help any way she could. The mood – tears, excitement, talking about the ‘what ifs’ — was contagious. We knew that we were at the start of something real and really important.
There was one more person I needed; but getting in front of him was going to be more challenging. Dan Ogus is always on the go; and during that timeframe, his schedule took him to Philly, Jersey, Japan, West Palm Beach, and some unknown destination for a fishing trip. I just didn’t have that many frequent flyer miles! So I had to make my pitch via phone. This response was what I hoped for as an entrepreneur with a vision and what I expected as a best friend: “Who else is in? Who else do we need to get involved? How else can I help?”
The Good People Advisory Committee had officially launched! Over the following years, Jill, Terry, and Dan have continued their commitment and support for Good People. And we have proved that an innovative vision, hard work, shared goals, and some risk-taking can be incredibly powerful. There are more stories to come for Good People, the connections we are creating, the positive changes we are inspiring, and the work we are doing to live up to our vision and our mission. Thanks to everyone. #TeamGoodPeople!
Pi Architects was established more than three decades ago with a vision centered on community service. “We recognize the significance of crafting environments that foster individual needs, acknowledging the principles of longevity as the backbone of design,” said Pi President Greg Hunteman, AIA. The Pi team understands the need for social interaction between generations and how intergenerational living fulfills the sense of belonging; and they incorporate this need into their projects. “We design with a purpose that creates natural movement and promotes wellbeing,” Hunteman noted.
Pi was one of the founding members of Good People, and Hunteman saw early on the tremendous value of the opportunity to engage and interact with leaders in all aspects of senior living. “These are visionaries who have helped shape our industry and led innovations and trends. The opportunity to connect and spend time together through Good People is invaluable. We share a common goal of ensuring the best possible quality of living for senior living residents everywhere; and working together, we can drive innovation and stay on the cutting edge of issue, opportunities, and challenges.”
The Pi team includes experts from each of the major design disciplines, specialists in community operations, development, and construction. Additionally, Pi has a seasoned business development and administrative team to streamline service delivery.
