Dallas, September 30, 2025
News Summary
Discovery Senior Living has received the prestigious Memory Care Innovation Award in the Senior Housing & Senior Living category from WTWH Healthcare for its SHINE® Memory Care program. This program, which emphasizes evidence-based routines and staff training, has been implemented in over 200 communities across the U.S. The award highlights the company’s commitment to innovation in cognitive care, aiming to improve outcomes for individuals with memory-related disorders. Representation at the upcoming BUILD & BRAIN Conference further showcases Discovery’s leadership in memory care.
Dallas — Discovery Senior Living has been awarded the 2025 Memory Care Innovation Award in the Senior Housing & Senior Living category by WTWH Healthcare for its SHINE® Memory Care program, a recognition of innovation in cognitive care delivery and improved outcomes for individuals with memory-related disorders. The company’s SHINE® program is certified by the Alzheimer’s Association and has been implemented in over 200 communities nationwide.
What happened
The award recognizes organizations that innovate in memory care. Discovery Senior Living accepted the honor through its Vice President of Memory Care & Cognitive Health, who represented the company’s clinical, training, and operations teams. Discovery was also named among the Memory Care Innovation Awards Class of 2025 and its honorees were invited to the BUILD & BRAIN Conference in Dallas scheduled for November 6-7, 2025.
Program and implementation details
The SHINE® Memory Care program emphasizes evidence-based routines, staff training, and strategies for family engagement. The SHINE® program has been implemented in over 200 communities nationwide and is updated biannually in line with Alzheimer’s Association recommendations to incorporate new research and maintain effectiveness. Discovery’s approach includes training, behavioral analysis, and family support across its multi-brand portfolio, and the company is working to expand memory care services through a tailored approach with specialized programming for cognitive change.
Clinical and training efforts
Discovery’s memory care model pairs behavioral analysis with staff training and family engagement strategies. The company certifies elements of SHINE® through third-party standards and revises program content twice a year to reflect Alzheimer’s Association guidance and emerging research.
Technology and data initiatives
Discovery is incorporating new technologies, including a Microsoft Power Business Intelligence platform, to enhance medication monitoring and optimize care delivery. Future goals include studying factors like anxiety and dementia relationships and improving health outcomes through compliant data analysis.
Leadership, outreach and resources
Leadership accepted the award on behalf of cross-functional teams and highlighted the company’s broader support resources. Discovery’s Vice President of Memory Care & Cognitive Health launched the Disappearing Mind podcast, offering over 100 episodes featuring insights from researchers, caregivers, and families about dementia. The company also advocates for improved public policy on aging and dementia, working with lawmakers to influence decisions affecting dementia care standards, funding, and regulations.
Company scale and goals
Discovery operates a growing portfolio of nearly 47,000 units across approximately 420 communities and 40 states, making it the largest privately held operator in the U.S. The company employs over 20,000 team members. Discovery aims to grow its memory care community count to 200 by the end of 2025 and is expanding memory care services through tailored programs that adapt therapeutic activities to varying levels of cognitive change and cultural needs in diverse markets.
Workforce and recruitment
Recruitment for memory care director roles has been identified as a challenge. Discovery is enhancing employee retention strategies and career pathways to attract and retain talent for memory care leadership and direct care roles.
Context and next steps
The award places Discovery’s SHINE® program among initiatives recognized for innovation in memory care, with honorees invited to a November conference in Dallas. Discovery plans to continue updating SHINE® in line with Alzheimer’s Association recommendations, to refine therapeutic programming, to leverage data platforms for compliant analysis of clinical outcomes, and to expand memory care communities and specialized programming.
FAQ
Q: Who received the 2025 Memory Care Innovation Award?
A: Discovery Senior Living, a leading privately held senior living operator, has been awarded the 2025 Memory Care Innovation Award in the Senior Housing & Senior Living category by WTWH Healthcare.
Q: What program was recognized by the award?
A: The SHINE® Memory Care program, certified by the Alzheimer’s Association, was recognized.
Q: How widely has the SHINE® program been implemented?
A: The SHINE® program has been implemented in over 200 communities nationwide, focusing on evidence-based routines, staff training, and strategies for family engagement.
Q: Who accepted the award for Discovery Senior Living?
A: Dawn Platt, Vice President of Memory Care & Cognitive Health, accepted the award on behalf of the company and its clinical, training, and operations teams.
Q: What related resources has Discovery produced?
A: Dawn Platt also launched the Disappearing Mind podcast, offering over 100 episodes featuring insights from researchers, caregivers, and families about dementia.
Q: Where and when will honorees be invited to meet?
A: Honorees were invited to the BUILD & BRAIN Conference in Dallas scheduled for November 6-7, 2025.
Q: What is Discovery’s current portfolio size?
A: Discovery operates a growing portfolio of nearly 47,000 units across approximately 420 communities and 40 states, making it the largest privately held operator in the U.S.
Q: What are Discovery’s workforce and growth goals?
A: The company, with over 20,000 team members, aims to grow its memory care community count to 200 by the end of 2025 and is enhancing employee retention strategies and career pathways to attract talent.
Q: How does Discovery update its SHINE® program?
A: The company continually updates its SHINE® memory care program biannually in line with Alzheimer’s Association recommendations, leveraging new research to maintain its effectiveness.
Q: What technologies is Discovery using to support care?
A: Discovery is incorporating new technologies, including a Microsoft Power Business Intelligence platform, to enhance medication monitoring and optimize care delivery.
Q: What future research and care priorities has Discovery identified?
A: The company’s future goals include studying factors like anxiety and dementia relationships and improving health outcomes through compliant data analysis.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Award | 2025 Memory Care Innovation Award in the Senior Housing & Senior Living category by WTWH Healthcare |
| Recognized program | SHINE® Memory Care program, certified by the Alzheimer’s Association |
| Program reach | Implemented in over 200 communities nationwide |
| Leadership | Dawn Platt, Vice President of Memory Care & Cognitive Health, accepted the award |
| Company size | Nearly 47,000 units across approximately 420 communities and 40 states; over 20,000 team members |
| Goals | Grow memory care community count to 200 by the end of 2025; study anxiety and dementia relationships |
| Technology | Microsoft Power Business Intelligence platform for medication monitoring and care optimization |
| Program updates | SHINE® updated biannually in line with Alzheimer’s Association recommendations |
| Outreach | Disappearing Mind podcast offering over 100 episodes |
| Policy work | Advocates for improved public policy on aging and dementia with lawmakers |
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Additional Resources
- Senior Housing News: How Discovery Senior Living is Reshaping Memory Care Programming
- McKnight’s Senior Living: Discovery Senior Living Recapitalizes
- Naples News: Community Choice Award Winners
- Fox 4 Now: Anonymous Donor Promises Grant Match
- Jax Daily Record: Senior Living Facility Planned
- Wikipedia: Memory Care
- Google Search: Memory Care Programs
- Google Scholar: Memory Care Innovation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Memory Disease
- Google News: Senior Living News
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