When Robyn Stone joined LeadingAge in 1999 to establish what would become the Institute for the Future of Aging Services (IFAS), she saw a tremendous opportunity to conduct research in real-world service and support settings. She was convinced that any research in our field must take place in collaboration with providers. Our research efforts have evolved over the years. […]
While the future can feel full of uncertainty, complexity, and constant disruption, leaders still need practical ways to think about what may be coming next. Scenario planning, a strategic exercise in which leaders brainstorm, outline, and explore possible future events or situations to help them make better decisions in the […]
It’s no secret that our nation and the world are undergoing profound demographic changes. Expectations about aging are shifting, and workforce models are evolving. The need for our services continues to grow, even as our operating environment becomes more challenging to navigate. I’m proud to report that LeadingAge members are […]
While artificial intelligence (AI) sounds full of theory, thought leadership, and a bit of magic, employers are the ones who will bring AI into on-the-ground reality. That was my main takeaway from the recent congressional hearing Building an AI-Ready America: Strengthening Employer-Led Training. Employers—including aging services organizations—are best positioned to […]
Supporting our members’ workforce and ensuring access to skilled employees is a longstanding LeadingAge priority: it is a pillar of our strategic plan and the focus of so much of our association’s endeavors—in education, in live programming, in research, and, of course, in policy. The reason is simple: without staff, […]
As panel moderator at Net Inclusion 2026 last month, I had the unique opportunity to learn about various approaches being taken to bring person-centered technology support to older adults. Throughout my time at the Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST), and even prior, in my previous job starting as a […]
After nearly a decade working in advocacy on LeadingAge national’s policy team focused on managed care and integrated services, I’ve seen administrations turn over and long-serving members of Congress retire. Throughout, what hasn’t changed is the need for strong advocacy: ensuring our elected officials and other policymakers understand our members’ […]
“Welcome to our Thursday afternoon dance party!” This enthusiastic declaration greeted me recently during my visit to an affordable housing community and LeadingAge member in Portland, OR. I had just entered the community’s multi-purpose room, which features an inviting dance floor. Two of the community’s 500 residents were inside, looking […]
Navigating the challenges of building sustainable, person-centered technology support and training programs for older adults, while not a new issue, is certainly constant—and the solutions are always evolving. While serving as a session moderator at the early February Net Inclusion 2026 conference, which advances digital equity, I had a unique […]
What’s your dream for the future? If automotive pioneer Henry Ford had posed this question in the late 1800s, most Americans would likely have suggested that faster horses would go a long way toward solving their transportation challenges. That’s understandable. Horses were ubiquitous in the 19th century, and the average […]
