Solving the loneliness epidemic
Positively shifting care and community for our seniors - a mission-driven leadership journey
By: Ryan Reid, Founder & CEO, Bream
My journey into mission-driven healthcare started in college. I had become obsessed with the accessibility of the NYC subway system and for projects, I would design accessibility subway maps. I even dressed up as a 73 year-old man one day to attempt to understand this reality better.
One of my professors found out about this and prompted me to explore further. What he didn’t know was my grandpa Deano had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I was struggling and sad. I threw myself into researching Alzheimer’s. My explorations turned into a 90-minute script I wrote about a man named Henri living in NYC with Alzheimer’s. The play followed one day of his life, the day-to-day reality and his memories. I decided to produce and direct it for my senior thesis (I was just about to graduate). I did casting calls and hired actors (totally new to me). I directed actors (totally new to me). And soon many of my artsy friends were involved… designing the set and costumes and Henri’s world. The play ran for two weeks in a donated space in downtown Manhattan. On the day of my graduation, a review came out in the NY Times praising the play & portrayal of social isolation amongst this generation. It also gave me the permission to fully commit to following this passion in my own unique way.
When I felt lost after graduation, I went back to this thread and started volunteering at Isabella Geriatric Center in memory care. I wanted to understand my grandpa’s world more deeply. I’d go twice weekly and play music for the residents one on one. I had unforgettable moments of connection filled with joy and sadness and terror and compassion and play. When I was commissioned to write a second play, I decided to focus it on this world and asked Isabella if we could rehearse in their basement. They said yes and asked me to be their youngest board member too!
This time, I wanted the cast to be intergenerational. My collaborations with older adult artists had inspired me and I wanted to give that opportunity to others. The cast was ages 8 to 83 and we became a family. I’m still really proud of the story we told. Plus, each night there were talkbacks with caregivers, doctors, cast members and social workers. These conversations inspired me to create my first company, Sprat.
I feel it’s important to note here that I come from a family of lawyers and stay-at-home moms. The people around me had a set path that they followed step by step. Mine was never that. In the actual moments, I tended to feel lost, but looking back all the steps connect somehow seamlessly. There were periods I worked in independent living, teaching painting to seniors. There were periods I created dance collaborations with seniors. Of course, there was no set path for this, and I just kept trusting.
At some point in the following years, I became interested in the culture of care in Asian countries. I applied for a Fulbright in Nepal to study this more deeply. I was accepted and lived in Patan, Nepal for 11 months. I researched the way that older adults were cared for and also worked in Matatitra, a home for elder women. I created an ensemble of Nepali women and girls, and we made creative work about their lives, together. I learned so much and made lasting friendships. For me, this cultural exchange remains a part of what I do daily.
I mentioned Sprat earlier…the company I founded that brings together teens and older adults to get creative together. When the pandemic hit, we began hosting workshops virtually and this is where the seed for Bream (my current endeavor) was planted. Bream is a wellness and creativity platform designed for older adults and care providers to improve health and reduce loneliness.
I’m glad to be connected with you all because Bream brought me to Tarul and Ellipsis Healthcare. Thank you for reading my journey in healthcare and AgeTech. I hear the stories of how folks came to work in healthcare and/or aging, and each is so unique and inspiring. I’d love to hear your journey and connect with you.
