Founder Spotlight: Jeff McSpadden (Composure)

This week, I had the privilege of interviewing Jeff McSpadden, co-founder and CEO of Composure. Composure is transforming sound into medicine to enhance the sleep quality of vulnerable populations, particularly in senior living communities. Join us as we explore the journey of Composure from its musical roots to its pivotal role in enhancing older adults care through sound.

— Sarah Richard

P.S. - If you’re an AgeTech founder, investor, or operator based in the NYC area, please consider joining us live at the May AgeTech NYC meetup.

Jeff, can you give us an overview of Composure?

Jeff McSpadden: Absolutely, Composure harnesses the therapeutic powers of sound to address chronic sleep issues among the older adults, particularly those in senior living communities. Leveraging my nearly three decades in the music industry, Composure crafts soundscapes that are not only soothing but are scientifically tailored to improve sleep quality and overall wellness in aging populations.

What motivated you to pivot your career towards creating Composure?

Jeff McSpadden: The genesis of Composure was deeply personal. Both my co-founder and I have cared for aging parents, which exposed us firsthand to the challenges and limited solutions available in elder care. We were inspired to transform our expertise in music into a tool that could significantly improve the quality of life for the older adults. The idea was to extend beyond entertainment and use sound as a transformative tool for health and wellness.

Can you discuss a major pivot or shift in Composure's business model?

Jeff McSpadden: Initially, we explored using virtual reality and interactive web experiences to leverage sound for therapeutic purposes. However, we quickly learned that while these were innovative, they did not address the practical needs of our target audience. We shifted our focus to creating more accessible, straightforward soundscapes that could be easily integrated into daily routines, particularly in senior living facilities where simplicity and efficacy are crucial.

What unique approaches has Composure developed in your work with senior living communities?

Jeff McSpadden: We've discovered that poor sleep quality in senior living communities has created a significant gap in care. Our solution focuses on integrating sound into the residents' environment in a way that supports their natural sleep cycles. We've designed a system that allows for personalized soundscapes that adapt to the individual needs of each resident, improving not only their sleep quality but also their overall behavior and well-being during waking hours.

Looking ahead, what excites you about the future of Composure?

Jeff McSpadden: I'm particularly excited about the potential for expanding our reach and impact. The response from the senior living industry has been overwhelmingly positive, recognizing the non-pharmacological benefits of our sound-based interventions. We're also exploring partnerships and technologies that can further personalize and enhance the effectiveness of our offerings, such as integrating passive sensors to tailor sound environments based on real-time physiological data.

The Harmony of Innovation and Care

Jeff's journey with Composure highlights the incredible potential of applying innovative technologies and creative solutions to age-old problems like sleep disturbances in the older adults. By focusing on the intersection of sound and medicine, Composure is not just improving the lives of senior residents but is also easing the workload and stress of caregivers by creating more tranquil and therapeutic environments.

As we look forward to the advancements Composure will bring to the field of AgeTech, we are reminded of the power of sound not just to heal but to transform the everyday experiences of the most vulnerable among us.

Enjoying Golden Age of Technology?

Subscribe to Golden Age of Technology here.

Access Golden Age of Technology archive here.