Supportive environments for elders and particularly those living with cognitive impairment is a special interest that has lead to ongoing professional alliances with experts in the field and initiation of Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) research work on several of her projects. Ruth's special, and personal interest in the impact of the appropriate environment on well being of elders has led her to serve as the Co-Chair of the Design for Aging committee of the Boston Society of Architects since 2008, contributing to education and lively exchange of ideas among architects designers scientists, regulators and owners.