Innovation accelerators are emerging in many sectors; however, a key differentiator in the development of CABHI was its focus on the seniors’ sector, building upon the existing partnership with the members of the SQLI.
A unique collaboration of 12 leading North American senior sector organizations, SQLI members believe that the best care for clients and support for families will come from widespread adoption of the best evidence-based solutions and the ongoing search for innovative next practices. SQLI provides a testing ground for innovative products and services in various provinces across Canada and hotbed regions for innovation in the US. Members provide their unique expertise to enable evaluation, dissemination and adoption of new care practices, while designing and beta-testing emerging technologies that support seniors’ well-being in real-world care settings.
As SQLI’s focus continues towards greater consistency and broader adoption of approaches that enhance the quality of care and quality of life for seniors, there is tremendous value in working with CABHI. CABHI will be a source of novel solutions, and together with SQLI/industry partners, will develop, test and drive the adoption of innovative models of service delivery and the application of emerging technologies to support exceptional senior care in congregate and individual family residential settings.
To date, 7 of the 12 SQLI members are active participants as pilot test sites for CABHI’s Industry Innovation Partnership Program. SQLI members are actively engaged in shaping and informing CABHI’s programs and activities related to building a culture of innovation, innovation testing, and knowledge dissemination.
In 2016, SQLI members participated in surveys and focus groups to inform design specifications for a virtual learning platform to that will provide an innovative approach to disseminating knowledge to point of care providers, in a manner that will support better uptake and real-time engagement with peers. Until the platform is developed, CABHI established a tele-rounds portal with three SQLI test partners with the intention to expand in 2017-18. This year, 50 SQLI participants also took part in two design thinking workshops facilitated by CABHI focused on social innovation. The workshop generated new and innovative ideas for social integration of residents in long-term care settings.