UCH’s Glenwood Community Launches Entrepreneur in Residence Program to Pioneer Innovation in Senior Living

In a city steeped in history, The Glenwood Community in Marietta, Ohio — part of United Church Homes — is setting a new precedent for the future of senior living with its groundbreaking “Entrepreneur in Residence” program. This innovative initiative brings entrepreneurs and cutting-edge technology directly to the heart of the community, providing both innovators and residents with a unique opportunity to collaborate, learn and shape the future of senior living.

Located in the picturesque foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, The Glenwood Community has been a trusted home for older adults in the Mid-Ohio Valley for 25 years. Now, through this dynamic new program, it is also becoming a hub of innovation. Entrepreneurs are invited to live on campus for two-to-three weeks, immersing themselves in the daily lives of residents and gaining invaluable, real-world experience by testing their products and ideas.

“The Entrepreneur in Residence program allows us to continuously innovate and bring fresh ideas to improve the lives of our aging population,” said Linda Dailey, senior executive director of The Glenwood Community. “By inviting entrepreneurs to live alongside us, we create a collaborative environment where both residents and innovators can learn from one another.”

The program has already hosted its first Entrepreneur in Residence, Martina Viduka, founder of Advosense. Viduka’s innovative solution for incontinence care has provided residents and staff with a glimpse into the future of healthcare. Meanwhile, former Apple engineer Dhaval Patel is currently developing a wearable ring that allows users to control their environment with infrared technology, offering an even greater level of independence to Glenwood’s residents.

Michael Hughes, senior executive vice president and chief transformation and innovation officer at United Church Homes, emphasized the broader implications of the program. “our goal is to bring residents into the innovation process right from the start,” he said. “By working together with entrepreneurs, we are creating a future where senior living communities aren’t just recipients of new technology — they are active participants in shaping it.”