Honoring Innovation in Dementia Care

We’re proud to share that Dr. Raj Kalra, founder of Aroha Memory Care, has received the 2025 Senior Housing News Memory Care Innovation Award, recognizing his leadership in redefining what memory care can be.

This national recognition celebrates Aroha’s physician-led model that unites lifestyle medicine, design, and compassion to create a community where individuals living with dementia can thrive with health, joy, and dignity.

“Our goal has always been to transform what memory care can be — from safety and support to possibility and purpose,” says Dr. Kalra.

The Memory Care Innovation Award is a distinguished recognition presented by Senior Housing News to individuals and organizations who are genuinely transforming how memory and cognitive care is delivered. The program honours professionals who not only envision a better future for those living with dementia and related disorders, but who actively drive innovation, put vision into practice, and advocate for residents, families and caregivers alike.

For Dr. Raj Kalra and the Aroha Memory Care team, receiving this award signifies that our physician-designed, evidence-based, human-centered approach is being recognized at the highest level in the senior housing and memory care industry. It validates that the work, integrating medical insight, lifestyle medicine and compassionate design to enhance the lives of older adults with memory-challenge, is not only meaningful, but emerging as best-practice. The award spotlights Dr. Kalra’s leadership and helps amplify the story of how Aroha is raising the bar for dementia care in Sonoma County and beyond.

In short, the honor makes clear that what began as a vision in Santa Rosa isn’t just local – it’s part of the broader national movement to redefine memory care with dignity, innovation and hope.