April 15, 2024 – St. Louis, Missouri – Lutheran Senior Services (LSS) is proud to announce that Valerie Cooper has been named to the inaugural class of the 2024 Memory Care Innovation Awards by WTWH Media Healthcare. This program honors the people focused on providing innovative cognitive care delivery across the behavioral health, home health and home care, hospice and palliative care, senior housing and senior living, and skilled nursing industries. WTWH Media Healthcare recognizes Valerie as a passionate leader who aims to define the future of aging in America.
“Valerie’s work underscores our foundational commitment to being innovators and leaders in the field of memory support,” said Adam Marles, LSS President & CEO. “Her leadership is preparing us to make great strides in this space.”
With more than 21 years at LSS, currently as the Vice President of Life Plan Communities, Valerie has made a meaningful impact in shaping the future of cognitive care delivery—for those living with dementia and for caregivers and industry professionals.
At LSS she is a leader in the development of innovation in memory support. She led a team of LSS colleagues to develop and recently launch new foundational standards that enable LSS to broaden and personalize the dementia support pathway. Using evidence-supported best practices, this approach combines exceptional clinical care with an inclusive and innovative approach to integrating therapies—such as music, art, aromatherapy, and education—for all care partners to decrease the stigma of living with dementia.
She also paved the way for implementing Tovertafel, a tool that provides stimulation and an interactive experience for people living with dementia. LSS was the first in its region to bring Tovertafel to all its Life Plan Communities, prompting Leading Age Missouri to recognize the organization with a Visionary Award in 2023.
In addition, Valerie has overseen major expansion and renovation projects at flagship Life Plan Communities. Currently she is working to create a first-in-class holistic memory support neighborhood. Valerie’s influence and longevity in memory care are evidence of the ethics and professionalism she brings to her role.
“I am genuinely that person who says, ‘I love my job.’,” says Valerie. “I have experienced the memory care journey firsthand with my mother, which has made me even more passionate about equipping people living with dementia and their loved ones with ways to live life to the fullest.”
WTWH Media Healthcare founded this award in the belief that innovative talent drives the aging industry forward.
“This inaugural class of Memory Care Innovation Award winners have clearly shown an exceptional commitment to enhancing the lives of those living with memory-related disorders,” stated George Yedinak, Chief Revenue Officer of WTWH Media Healthcare. “Individually, they have each displayed a remarkable dedication to ensuring the well-being and safety of the memory care residents, patients, and families they serve. It will be exciting to see how the future of cognitive care delivery will continue to evolve with talent like this.”
For more information about the program and to view the complete Memory Care Innovation Awards Class of 2024, please visit innovation.memorycarebusiness.com.
Lutheran Senior Services (LSS) is a mission-driven, nonprofit network that specializes in housing, care, and supportive services for older adults 62+. With 18 locations in Missouri and Illinois, LSS serves more than 13,000 seniors a year through options that include Senior Living Communities offering all levels of living, Affordable Housing for those with limited incomes, and Home & Community Based Services. LSS builds upon more than 160 years of excellence in living out its Christian mission of Older Adults Living Life to the Fullest.