08/12/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/13/2026 06:56
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LeadingAge members honored for tech innovations, research, and introducing innovations.
LeadingAge Technology Leaders Named Finalists for McKnight's Excellence in Technology Awards
The 16th annual McKnight's Excellence in Technology Awards program has announced many LeadingAge members as finalists. Winners will be announced on Sept. 16, 2026, in a virtual ceremony. Several thought leadership webinars offering continuing education credits will precede the ceremony on Sept. 15 and 16. LeadingAge members are finalists in the following categories:
Building Bridges
Creative Use of AI
Electronic Health Records (EHR) Integration
Falls Prevention, Management or Detection
Innovator of the Year
Keep It Super Simple (KISS)
Quality
Resident Engagement and Recreation
Resident/Patient Monitoring and Safety
Tech Champion
Asbury Communities and United Methodist Communities Featured for Innovative Solutions
LeadingAge CAST Patrons Asbury Communities and United Methodist Communities were featured in HealthTech's article "How 3 Leading Senior Care Organizations Approach Innovation."
For Asbury Communities, the story featured concierge Joy, which uses AI to answer residents' questions from Asbury's resident engagement platform. The organization is also benefitting from robust information technology (IT) infrastructure and data analytics, plus new falls solutions, an innovation lab that gives residents input on the organization's tech selections, and more.
CAST Commissioner Travis Gleinig described the three-layered innovation strategy at United Methodist Communities, where he serves as vice president of innovation and CIO. Elements include a strong infrastructure, tools that ease staff's work, and a governance process for choosing and piloting new technology.
Parker Health Group Collaborating on Study to Create Holistic Senior Living
Parker Health Group, a LeadingAge CAST Patron, is one of several organizations supporting a three-year study called Reimagining the Future of Senior Living. Funded by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care and the MIT AgeLab, this collaboration will look at older adults' coming needs and expectations for technology, as well as health, housing, wellness, and lifestyle.
The idea is to make senior living an "aspirational and holistic experience that generations of older adults increasingly value," according to Senior Housing News. In addition to extensive research with older adults, the research will seek feedback from technology experts. McKnight's Senior Living also covered the new collaboration.
Direct Supply Brings Service Robots to Senior Living
LeadingAge Business Member Direct Supply was mentioned in the McKnight's Senior Living article "Robotics technology augments, not replaces, senior living workforce, expert says," as a partner that has introduced Richtech Robotics' products to senior living communities. These robots handle tasks such as dining, delivery, and bussing so that care teams can deliver the human touch to residents. The article emphasizes that robots are not taking jobs from humans but enabling more care for older adults.
DIRECTTV for Business Releases Report on Technology and Entertainment Trends
A technology report released by LeadingAge Business Member DIRECTTV for Business was featured by McKnight's Senior Living in "Digital tools, high-speed internet now core senior living resident expectations." The report, "Technology and entertainment trends in independent living communities" challenges assumptions around independent senior living residents age 64 and up. Surprisingly, 57% of respondents said they actively use artificial intelligence tools, and the same percentage believe their content is important to their personal well-being. Findings also include that use of streaming is rising, and residents are willing to pay for better entertainment.