Michael Tubbs, Senior Director of Lifestyle Engagement at Benchmark Senior Living, has been named to the Memory Care Innovation Awards Class of 2026 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.
Tubbs sat down with Senior Housing News to share his journey caring for patients and residents with cognitive care needs, his thoughts on the future of cognitive care in senior housing & senior living, and much more. To learn more about the Memory Care Innovation Awards and view this year’s winners, visit https://innovation.memorycarebusiness.com/.
SHN: How long have you been working in the senior housing & senior living industry, and what has your career journey looked like?
Tubbs: Since entering the senior living profession in 2010 as a Recreational Therapist, I have spent more than 16 years serving people living with dementia and supporting their families.
My career journey has not been linear, but it has provided me with diverse experiences across the continuum of senior living. I progressed from serving as a Skilled Nursing Memory Care Director to community-level leadership in Assisted Living, followed by Executive Director roles at two stand-alone memory care communities. Today, I serve as Senior Director of Lifestyle Engagement at Benchmark Senior Living.
Throughout my career, I have focused on building high-performing teams and creating supportive workplace cultures where associates can thrive. I believe that when team members feel valued, empowered, and supported, they are better equipped to deliver exceptional care.
My work has centered on enhancing the quality of life for residents, driving the adoption of innovative and evidence-based best practices, advancing person-centered and person-directed care, and helping communities create meaningful experiences for those living with dementia.
SHN: What inspired you to focus on caring for individuals living with memory-related conditions?
Tubbs: I have always been drawn to history and the stories that shape people’s lives. Early in my career, I found myself captivated by conversations with older adults who had lived through events I had only read about in school, such as the Great Depression and World War II. Listening to their firsthand experiences gave history a personal meaning and helped me appreciate the wisdom, resilience, and unique perspectives they shared with me.
As I began working with individuals living with dementia, I discovered that those life stories often remained accessible for a long time even as the disease progressed. Taking the time to learn about a person’s experiences, interests, and identity allowed me to build trust and meaningful connections. At the same time, I became fascinated by the complexity of the brain and the ways dementia affects each person differently.
Very early in my career, I realized that working with people living with dementia was more than a profession for me. It became a true passion and calling. I have always wanted to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others, and supporting individuals living with dementia, as well as their families, has given me that opportunity every day. Few things are more rewarding than helping someone experience connection, purpose, and joy despite the challenges of dementia.
SHN: If you could describe the current state of memory care in senior housing & senior living in one word, what would it be and why?
Tubbs: I would describe the current state of memory care as hopeful.
Over the past decade, we have seen significant advancements in evidence-based best practices, including the adoption of Montessori principles for dementia and aging, which focus not only on meaningful engagement, but also on creating environments that support autonomy, purpose, and success for people living with dementia. At the same time, there is a greater emphasis on person-centered care, a more educated and specialized workforce, and stronger collaboration among senior living providers, therapists, hospice teams, neurologists, and other healthcare partners.
Perhaps most encouraging is the shift away from custodial models of care. More communities are moving beyond passive television-based programming and risk-averse practices that prioritize safety at the expense of quality of life. Instead, there is a growing focus on helping individuals living with dementia maintain choice, independence, purpose, and meaningful connections.
Families today also have access to more information, resources, and support than ever before. While there is still much work to be done, the industry’s commitment to innovation, education, and person-directed care gives me tremendous hope for the future of memory care.
SHN: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career caring for individuals with cognitive needs?
Tubbs: The most important lesson I have learned is that people living with dementia are doing the best they can with a complex and progressive disease. Rather than expecting them to adapt to our world, we must be willing to adapt to meet their needs.
When we slow down, are curious to understand the person behind the diagnosis, and build relationships based on connection and trust, we are often able to reduce distress and create more positive outcomes for everyone involved. I have learned that with the right support, environment, and care approach, people living with dementia can continue to experience joy, purpose, autonomy, and a sense of belonging.
SHN: What is one change you would most like to see across the memory care landscape in senior housing & senior living today?
Tubbs: I would like to see a shift from task-focused care to person-directed living.
Too often, we focus on completing tasks and keeping to schedules rather than on meaningful engagement, purpose, and quality of life. I would love to see every memory care neighborhood truly built and evolve around each person’s history, strengths, interests, and retrained abilities so that residents can continue to experience moments of success, independence, control, and connections at every stage of the disease.
SHN: Looking ahead five years, what do you think will have the greatest impact on your ability to deliver innovative, high-quality cognitive care?
Tubbs: Looking ahead five years, I believe the greatest impact on our ability to deliver innovative, high-quality cognitive care will come from two areas: technology and workforce development.
Technology will continue to advance, but I see it as a tool to enhance what we do, not a solution that can replace human connection. Innovations such as predictive analytics, AI-driven automation of administrative tasks, fall-risk detection, dehydration and illness prediction/prevention, and cognitive support technologies will help care teams work more efficiently and proactively. By reducing administrative burdens and providing earlier insights into potential health concerns, these tools can enable associates to spend more meaningful time building relationships and delivering personalized care to residents.
More importantly, it will be our ability to recruit, develop, and empower a skilled workforce. The quality of dementia care ultimately depends on compassionate, well-trained professionals who understand the disease and the person behind the diagnosis. Organizations that invest in education, leadership development, and creating purpose-driven career paths will be best positioned to deliver exceptional outcomes for people living with dementia and their families.
SHN: If you could give yourself advice on your first day serving the cognitive care needs of your senior housing & senior living residents, what would it be and why?
Tubbs: Focus on building relationships, stay curious, and never underestimate the impact of kindness, patience, and genuine human connection.
SHN: In your view, what qualities define a Memory Care Innovation Award winner?
Tubbs: To me, the Memory Care Innovation Award recognizes someone who is never satisfied with, “We have always done it this way.” It is a leader who is constantly exploring new evidence-based practices, research, and technologies that can enhance the lives of people living with dementia. They inspire others to think differently, challenge the status quo, and embrace continuous learning and growth.
More importantly, they don’t innovate for the sake of innovation. They thoughtfully evaluate new ideas and lead their teams in implementing approaches that improve quality of life, promote dignity, support associates, and create meaningful outcomes for residents and families.
True innovation is not just about introducing something new. It’s about providing the leadership, vision, and support necessary to create lasting positive change and help people living with dementia continue to experience purpose, connection, and quality of life.