Magnolias of Lancaster resident Janice Hannum and Resident Wellness Associate Arianna Washington use iN2L technology at the senior living community.
LANCASTER, Pa. — When Magnolias of Lancaster introduced the It’s Never Too Late (iN2L) engagement technology nearly three years ago, it marked a new era of connection and enrichment for residents in the LifeStories Memory Care program
iN2L has blossomed into an essential part of daily life at the senior living community.
Designed as a content-driven engagement system, iN2L provides seniors with meaningful experiences that connect them to the world around them. For residents at Magnolias of Lancaster, that connection takes many forms. From interactive games and classic television shows to relaxation tools and even recipes that inspire new culinary creations.
“It has been a great addition to our daily activity programming as well as a wonderful tool for our one-to-one resident and staff member interactions and room visits,” said Diana Teijaro, LifeStories Director at Magnolias of Lancaster. “We also use it for diversional programming and as a tool for redirection.”
The iN2L platform comes loaded with seasonal and holiday content, travel videos and music programs. Residents often gather to play educational games, with favorites including Family Feud, Spin and Solve, Piggy Bankers and Jeopardy Trivia. Magnolias of Lancaster implements the iN2L program through use of two tablets and a laptop/large-screen television combination.
“The program allows us to create a personalized profile for each resident, making their activities and engagement visible to families,” Teijaro said. “Through iN2L, we can share photos, messages, and even connect via Zoom chats. I’m excited to bring this tool into our community—it’s a meaningful way to keep families connected, especially when distance makes visits difficult.”
The program even finds its way into the kitchen.
After discovering a recipe on iN2L that caught their attention, residents asked Dining Experience Director Nate Truitt to recreate the entree. The initial request has evolved. Soon, “In the Kitchen with Nate,” will bring those virtual recipes to life in a relatable and entertaining manner.
Beyond entertainment, iN2L has proven to be a valuable wellness tool. Relaxation apps featuring soothing sounds of waves, waterfalls, fireplaces, and even summertime fireflies help residents unwind before bed or during restless moments at night. Classic television programs such as Petticoat Junction, The Golden Girls and The Lucy Show also provide comfort and familiarity.
The presence of iN2L continues to grow. “This month we plan to add 10 residents to the program, then in October and November we intend to add similar numbers of residents,” Teijaro said. “By Christmas we hope to have every resident registered.”
Lancaster’s success with iN2L has had an impact throughout IntegraCare, with communities such as Exton Senior also implementing similar engagement technology such as the Lucynt Mobile projector.
“We use the mobile projector in our LifeStories,” said Casey Counseller, Executive Operations Officer at Exton Senior Living. “In memory care, the residents and team members love it. We pretty much get 100% participation when we set up that Lucynt Mobile projector.”
Magnolias of Lancaster has embraced iN2L as a community-wide resource. Team members across departments — including wellness aides, managers, and housekeepers — are trained to use the system. Dining team training is planned
“Our higher-functioning residents enjoy using the tablets on their own — playing games, listening to favorite music, and exploring information — while others benefit from one-on-one interaction,” Teijaro said
“Recently, one resident was anxious to return home to Scotland,” she said. “So, a team member used iN2L to pull up Scottish travel videos. When we checked back later, not only was our resident calm, but two others had joined in. Together they watched the video and sang Scottish folk songs. Then they spoke about traditional foods like ‘haggis,’ which is Scotland’s national dish. It turned a moment of worry into a joyful, shared experience.”
The platform also supports therapy goals, reinforcing exercises recommended by speech and occupational therapy partners.
“There are simple games that anyone can play, like Bubble Pop or matching and sound identification games,” Teijaro said. “If there was one tool I count on to improve the lives of our residents on a daily basis, it is the iN2L. We are so grateful to IntegraCare for providing the best resource for our residents.”
For Magnolias of Lancaster, iN2L is more than technology. It’s a bridge to joy, connection and meaningful engagement for every resident.
For more information, contact Diana Teijaro, LifeStories Director, Magnolias of Lancaster, at dteijaro@integracare.com or call 717.560.2381.