Bridgewell Living Systems · Lakeview, Oregon
We build adaptive technology that helps older adults stay independent, connected and secure in everyday life.
Our first product, ElderBooth, is a private video-visit booth for senior living communities, designed so residents can connect with family on their own.
ElderBooth is in research and development and is not yet available for purchase.
The problem
Staying connected is a health issue in later life.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has found that social isolation and loneliness in older adults are associated with a greater likelihood of early death, dementia and heart disease.
Nearly 1 in 4
Americans aged 65 and older who live in community settings are socially isolated.
43%
of U.S. adults aged 60 and older report feeling lonely.
Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System (2020).
ElderBooth
A private, simple place for a video visit.
ElderBooth is a modular, acoustically isolated video communication booth installed inside a senior living community. It is designed so residents can see and talk with family on their own, without a personal device and without waiting for staff.
Private and quiet
An acoustically isolated enclosure lets residents hear clearly and speak freely.
Seamless and secure
Connecting is seamless, with no apps, accounts or passwords for residents to manage. Communication is limited to approved contacts, so residents are safe from spam.
Built around the people using it
Every design decision starts with how older adults see, hear, move and remember, and with the families and care teams around them.
Made in Oregon
ElderBooth enclosures are being developed with GK Soundbooth, Inc., a custom acoustic enclosure manufacturer in Lakeview, Oregon, which will serve as Bridgewell’s manufacturing partner.
Research
Measuring the impact.
We intend to test, using validated measures, whether private and independent video access improves social connection for older adults in senior living, including residents living with mild cognitive impairment.
We are preparing a proposal to the National Institutes of Health Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to support this work. We welcome conversations with researchers in aging, gerontology and human factors.
Questions we intend to study
- Does private, independent video access reduce loneliness among residents?
- Does it change how often and how regularly residents connect with family?
- Can residents living with mild cognitive impairment use it without staff assistance?
- How much staff time does it require compared with staff-assisted video calls?
Study aims, design and measures are being finalized and may change.
Team
Who we are
Bridgewell was founded by the leadership of GK Soundbooth, an Oregon manufacturer of custom acoustic enclosures, to bring that experience to senior living.
Megan McGowen
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Megan leads Bridgewell’s strategy, finance and research program. She is also Chief Financial Officer of GK Soundbooth, Inc., where she became Finance Director in 2017 and CFO in 2021.
She holds B.S. degrees in Economics and in Planning, Public Policy and Management from the University of Oregon, awarded summa cum laude.
Robie McGowen
Co-Founder & Advisor
Robie advises Bridgewell while continuing to lead GK Soundbooth, Inc. as Chief Executive Officer.
Michael McGowen
Co-Founder & Advisor
Michael advises Bridgewell while continuing to serve as President of GK Soundbooth, Inc.
Contact
Let’s talk.
We welcome conversations with researchers, senior living operators and funders working on social connection for older adults.
- hello@bridgewelllivingsystems.com
- Mailing address
- Bridgewell Living Systems Inc.
1350 S M Street
Lakeview, OR 97630 - Company
- Delaware corporation headquartered in Lakeview, Oregon