Teresa Krueger, Executive Director at WesleyLife, has been named a 2025 Memory Care Innovation Award winner by Senior Housing News.
The Memory Care Innovation Awards program is designed to recognize passionate and innovative industry members who are shaping the future of cognitive care across behavioral health, home health and home care, hospice and palliative care, senior housing and senior living, and skilled nursing. To become a Memory Care Innovation Award winner, an individual must be nominated by their peers. The candidate should be a high-performing employee who knows how to put vision into action, serving as an advocate for those living with memory-related disorders and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.
Krueger sat down with Senior Housing News to share her journey caring for patients and residents with cognitive care needs, her thoughts on the future of cognitive care in senior housing & senior living, and much more. To learn more about the Memory Care Innovation Awards program and view this year’s winners, visit https://innovation.memorycarebusiness.com/.
SHN: How long have you been a part of the memory care, senior housing & senior living industry?
Krueger: Over 20 years
SHN: What drew you to caring for patients/residents with cognitive care needs?
Krueger: Connecting with residents in memory support takes patience, creativity, and heart. Instead of correcting memory lapses, team members get to validate feelings and gently join the resident’s reality in the following ways:
- Engaging residents through senses. Through music, touch, smell and taste are just a few ways to evoke memories and emotions.
- Learning their life stories, interests, and preferences by using photos, memory boxes, and storytelling. Celebrate small moments- eye contact , a smile, and a shared laugh.
- Offer reassurance and kindness, especially during moments of confusion or anxiety.
SHN: If you could change one thing about cognitive care in the memory care, senior housing & senior living industry, what would it be?
Krueger: Helping family and caregivers to understand and take the time to engage with residents.
SHN: If you had a crystal ball, what do you think will most impact your ability to provide cognitive care in the memory care, senior housing & senior living industry in the next five years?
Krueger: Using more technology.
SHN: If you could describe cognitive care in the memory care, senior housing & senior living industry in one word, what would it be and why?
Krueger: Opportunity. We still have a lot of work to do in terms of education with families and caregivers.
SHN: What’s been the biggest lesson you have learned throughout your career?
Krueger: A resident may not remember your name or the details of your visit, but they will remember how you made them feel. Connections happen in moments, not always through words.
SHN: If you could give yourself advice on the first day in the memory care, senior housing & senior living industry, what would it be and why?
Krueger: Every person still has a story, even if they can’t tell it the way they used to. Learning to listen with your heart, not just your ears, can reveal so much.
SHN: In your opinion, what qualities should all Memory Care Innovation Award winners possess?
Krueger: Here are the qualities all Memory Care Innovation Award winners should possess:
- They should embody a blend of compassion, creativity, and leadership
- Prioritize dignity, autonomy, and joy for residents
- Inspire teams through empathy, patience, and kindness
- Introduce creative solutions – whether through technology, programming, or design that improve the quality of life and provide purpose
- Be a champion for awareness and understanding of memory-related conditions
- Engage families, team members, and residents in decision making
- Continuously learn, improve and innovate
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