Innovation is often seen as the byproduct of capital-intensive technology breakthroughs. But recent research confirms what innovative people and companies have known for years – creativity can happen anywhere at any time if effort is spent to nurture and reward it.

Take, for example, the “Nursing Home of the Future.” Begun last spring at the Tockwotton Home’s Fox Point facility through the efforts of the Business Innovation Factory (BIF) – it holds out the promise for a much better experience for elderly patients once completed in 18 months.

Through countless hours of site visits and interviews, BIF’s partners in the initiative – including Brown University, Quality Partners of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island School of Design and Tellart – have come to understand what residents of nursing homes like and don’t like and what they need and don’t need. They are using that information to create from scratch a new paradigm for effective and dignified nursing home care.

Now that is innovation worth accomplishing – and nary a silicon chip in sight.