Joan Hyde, PhD

Working at the forefront of care and services for people older people and those with Alzheimer’s, Dr. Hyde co-developed and implemented the first Massachusetts assisted living residence for people with dementia, going on to serve as the CEO of a successful regional assisted living company. In 2007 she founded Ivy Hall Senior Living, a consulting and management firm in the senior housing and care space.

She has simultaneously pursued translational research opportunities, both at the Gerontology Institute, UMass/Boston and through National Institute on Aging’s Small Business Innovation Research funding of several projects, including one on the architectural design of specialized environments for people with dementia, and another developing software for the assisted living industry.

Her policy research in aging services continues to identify regulatory and police obstacles to effective services for older people and those with cognitive and physical disabilities. She has also served on teams developing and evaluating technologies for people living with cognitive impairment.

As board member and officer of several national, state and international organizations, she has been a leader in the struggle to make services and housing better meet the needs of older people and those with disabilities.

Representative Projects

Project Design and Evaluation

Developed and tested an innovative approach to the dining experience for people with dementia which resulted in desirable weight gain, longer periods of socialization at mealtimes, and fewer incidents of agitation.
Evaluated a staff training program for a nationally recognized mixed income senior housing complex that enabled housekeeping, maintenance, finance office and other non-caregiver staff to better understand and assist residents with mild cognitive impairment to remain in their homes longer. This program has now been replicated nationally.
Principal Investigator, Evaluation of an Interactive Personal Response System in Conjunction with a Coleman Model Program to Reduce Rehospitalization. Recommended changes in both technology and program procedures to increase program success.

Facility Management, Operations and Marketing

Oversaw the turnaround of a failing assisted living property, stabilized occupancy at 95%, and arranged its successful sale
Developed and managed Enhanced Care (hospice and end-of-life services) in assisted living settings and replicated them throughout the northeast.
Created policies and procedures for assisted living residences and oversaw their implementation
As CEO of Hearthstone Alzheimer Care, was named to the roster of 100 Women Led Massachusetts Companies 2002 -2006

Selected Research Projects

Principal Investigator, High-Level Skills of Front-Line Workers, Funded by National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care (in progress)
Consultant, Autonomous Navigation Telepresence Robot for Alleviating Loneliness and Engaging nursing home residents with and without Dementia – NIA pilot study
Consultant, Innovation in Person-centered Dementia Care and Dementia Assessments: Development of the Care Team Direct App SBIR-funded project
Investigator, Evaluation of Dementia Support Program, Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly, Funding by Leading Age Award to JCHE
Principal Investigator, Biophilic Design for Senior Housing. BioForm Design Group
Co-Investigator, Transitions to residential care among people with multiple sclerosis, University of Massachusetts Gerontology Institute/Boston, Funded by the Multiple Sclerosis Society
Research Consultant, Development of an Assisted Living Consensus Instrument, Abt Associates, funded by the Agency for Health Care Research & Quality

Principal Investigator, Open Label Study of Depakote for Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia, Abbott Laboratories and Harvard University