A4: Innovating Care: Jewish Home Family’s Journey with AI-Powered Pain Assessment
Tuesday, June 16 | 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Target Audience: Clinical; Finance
Pain among older adults with dementia is one of the most under-recognized and under-treated conditions in long-term care. Traditional pain assessment methods often rely on subjective observation, leaving caregivers uncertain and residents vulnerable to untreated pain. The consequences – behavioral symptoms, falls, frailty, and unnecessary medications – impact both quality of life and organizational outcomes. Jewish Home Family, a nationally recognized leader in elder care innovation, faced these challenges head-on. Guided by its commitment to person-centered care and its Green House model of dignity and autonomy, the organization sought a solution that could overcome communication barriers and improve clinical decision-making. Their answer: PainChek, the world’s first FDA-cleared pain assessment app for non-verbal individuals. This session will share Jewish Home Family’s real-world experience implementing PainChek, including the why behind adoption, operational lessons learned, and measurable outcomes. Attendees will gain insight into how technology and human care can work together to reduce subjectivity, empower staff, and enhance resident well-being. We will explore the impact on quality indicators such as reductions in falls, frailty, and inappropriate drug use, as well as strategies for overcoming adoption barriers and training teams effectively. Participants will leave with practical steps to integrate innovative pain assessment tools into their own organizations, improving care quality and resident outcomes.
NAB/NCERS
Speaker Information
Director of Nursing, Jewish Home of Rockleigh
Eric Riguerra, RN, brings over 25 years of nursing leadership experience in aging services, with a deep focus on person-centered care and clinical quality. As Director of Nursing Services at Jewish Home at Rockleigh since 2009, Eric oversees strategic operations, quality improvement initiatives, and staff development for a leading nonprofit elder care organization. He is a certified Green House CORE Trainer, advancing innovative care models that promote autonomy and dignity for older adults. Eric’s expertise spans regulatory compliance, clinical program development, and operational integration of new technologies. He has led initiatives to improve pain management, reduce falls, and enhance quality indicators through evidence-based practices. His leadership in implementing AI-powered pain assessment tools reflects his commitment to leveraging innovation for better resident outcomes. Eric holds an Associate Degree in Nursing from Bergen Community College and is an active member of LeadingAge, the New Jersey Association of Directors of Nursing, and the New Jersey Alliance for Culture Change. He is also a graduate of the LeadingAge Leadership Academy, a program designed to develop visionary leaders in aging services. In recognition of his contributions, Eric received the NJADONA Director of the Year Award in 2013.
RN/Medical Records/Employee Health Nurse, Jewish Home of Rockleigh
Karah Kristen Santos, RN, brings over a decade of experience in long-term care and clinical operations, with a strong focus on compliance, technology integration, and quality improvement. Since 2012, Karah has served at Jewish Home at Rockleigh, where she currently leads medical records and employee health functions while maintaining active clinical practice as a charge nurse. Her expertise includes HIPAA compliance, regulatory audits, and data-driven quality initiatives that support person-centered care. Karah played a pivotal role in electronic medical record (EMR) implementation, serving as project lead for PointClickCare integration and training interdisciplinary teams to optimize documentation and workflow efficiency. Most recently, she led the rollout of PainChek®, an AI-powered pain assessment tool, ensuring successful adoption and staff training across Jewish Home Family. She also chairs the Mood and Behavior Committee and contributes to QAPI and Pharmacy & Therapeutics reviews, reinforcing evidence-based practices in dementia care and psychotropic management. Recently approved as a NATCEP Instructor, Karah is committed to educating and empowering staff in long-term care settings. Karah holds an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Jersey College and is licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse across multiple states. Her leadership in operational innovation and clinical compliance positions her as a valuable voice in advancing technology-driven solutions for aging services.
Head of Business Development – Global, Pain Chek
David has two decades of experience in the aged care industry, originally starting his career as a Physiotherapist. Over the last decade, David has held Senior Business Development and Leadership roles in the aged care sector and healthcare space, with the last 8 years in the role of Head of Business Development Globally for PainChek and has recently has recently relocated from Sydney Australia, stepping into the General Manager role to lead the North American business. A passion for improving care and assisting in business outcomes has seen David work closely with large listed, church, and charitable and private organizations. David prides himself on establishing trusting, transparent and long-standing relationships in the healthcare space.
