Raising Tech is your guide to understanding the role technology plays in your community, where to invest to transform culture, and how to bring your team and residents along the journey. Tune in to explore the latest tech trends, dive into hot topics, and hear from industry experts, community leaders, and innovative vendors shaping the senior living tech landscape. Each episode is packed with practical insights and real-world stories to help you spark change and level up your community’s tech game. You can find full demonstrations on our website of our Raising Tech Resident Exclusive Miniseries: www.parasolalliance.com/residents/ Powered by Parasol Alliance, The Strategic Planning & Full-Service IT Partner Exclusively serving Senior Living Communities.
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October 1, 2026Episode 14126 min
141. Rethinking Pain in Dementia Care with PainChek
When someone living with dementia can no longer reliably communicate that they’re in pain, caregivers face an incredibly difficult question: How do you know what they’re feeling? In this episode of Raising Tech , Matt Reiners talks with David Allsop , General Manager for PainChek across North America , about the challenge of identifying and assessing pain in people living with dementia who have lost the ability to reliably self-report. David explains why traditional pain assessment can be highly subjective and how PainChek combines artificial intelligence with human clinical observation to create a more consistent approach. The technology analyzes facial indicators associated with pain and combines that information with a guided observational assessment completed by a clinician. Learn more about PainChek on their website . Send us Fan Mail Find us online: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
September 18, 2026Episode 14029 min
140. Robotics Is a Tool, Not a Strategy [On-Demand Webinar]
Robotics is making its way into senior living, but successful adoption requires much more than finding a cool robot at a conference. In this conversation, Parasol Alliance Founder and CEO Amber Bardon sits down with HelloGard Robotics CEO and Co-Founder Sanjeev Shetty to explore how senior living organizations can take a more strategic approach to robotics. They discuss why communities should start by identifying operational friction rather than choosing technology, what it takes to become robotics-ready, and why physical infrastructure, Wi-Fi, cybersecurity, workflows, and organizational culture all play a role. Amber and Sanjeev also explore one of the biggest concerns surrounding robotics: Will robots replace staff? Instead, they discuss how robotics can take on repetitive, predictable, and physically demanding work so employees can spend more time on work requiring judgment, empathy, and human connection. Plus, they break down the relationship between AI and robotics and explore real-world robots being used for everything from cleaning and outdoor delivery to medication delivery, telehealth, lawn care, and more. Watch the full video on our website: https://www.parasolalliance.com/podcast-episodes/140-robotics Send us Fan Mail Find us online: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
September 17, 2026Episode 13919 min
139. Beyond the Call Light and Into Proactive Care using Jasemin
Host Matt Reiners sits down with Damon Dvorson of Leafra AI to explore how privacy-first AI and operational intelligence can help senior living providers move from reactive care to proactive care. Damon shares how conversations with nearly 300 senior living operators helped shape Jasemin around real-world challenges rather than technology for technology’s sake. The conversation explores the time caregivers lose walking between rooms, the hidden risks of manual care documentation, and how ambient technology can help teams arrive prepared for resident needs. Matt and Damon also discuss why traditional fall detection is evolving toward personalized fall prevention, how changes in activities of daily living can provide early warning signals, and how better visibility into care delivery can support more equitable staffing. Discover Jasemin on their website . Send us Fan Mail Find us online: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
September 8, 2026Episode 13832 min
138. How AI Can Support Senior Safety with LogicMark
What does the future of senior safety look like when technology supports human connection instead of replacing it? In this episode of Raising Tech , Matt Reiners talks with Chia-Lin Simmons , CEO of LogicMark , to explore how AI, connected devices and smarter data can help older adults live more independently while giving families and senior living teams greater peace of mind. Chia-Lin shares why the most valuable role for AI may be identifying subtle changes in behavior and health patterns before they become larger concerns, not replacing a human during someone’s most vulnerable moments. She also discusses privacy-centered technology, interoperability, medication reminders, scalable connected-home solutions and LogicMark’s vision for creating a “virtual village” around older adults. The conversation offers senior living operators a practical look at how technology can help reduce staff burden, improve visibility and create safer environments without sacrificing resident dignity or independence. Send us Fan Mail Find us online: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
August 20, 2026Episode 13717 min
137. Designing Technology Around the Resident Experience with Rikki Goldenberg
What happens when senior living technology is designed around the people using it and not simply the features it can provide? In this episode of Raising Tech , Matt Reiners sits down with Rikki Goldenberg , National Director of Catalyst at Juniper Communities , to explore how Juniper is using technology to support connection, independence, personalization and whole-person wellness. Rikki shares how Viva Life 365 helps residents access real-time community information, stay engaged with programming and dining, and make service requests all while giving families a clearer window into daily community life. For team members, the platform brings multiple workflows into one place, helping reduce fragmented systems and improve accountability around resident requests. The conversation also explores Juniper’s use of Alexa-enabled devices to make information and connection more accessible to residents who may not use a smartphone or tablet, including residents with visual impairments. Rikki leaves listeners with an important reminder: senior living organizations should not assume older adults cannot use technology. The goal should be to design technology around their needs, teach it patiently and give residents the confidence to use it independently. Resources & Links Learn more about Juniper Communities on their website . Learn more about Viva Life 365 on their website . More About Parasol Alliance : Parasol Alliance is a full-service technology partner exclusively serving the senior living industry. We help senior living organizations transform their technology culture through strategic planning, managed IT services, cybersecurity, infrastructure, business systems optimization, resident technology support, and innovation consulting. Learn more at www.parasolalliance.com and explore more episodes of Raising Tech at www.raisingtechpodcast.com . Send us Fan Mail Find us online: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
August 14, 2026Episode 13611 min
136. Resident Exclusive- Understanding Your Phone’s Internet Connection
Smartphones do a lot of work behind the scenes to keep us connected, but terms like Wi-Fi, LTE, 5G and cellular data can still be confusing. In this episode, Tech@Home technician James Peck breaks down how smartphones connect to the internet and explains the difference between Wi-Fi and cellular service in simple, approachable terms. He walks listeners through what happens when a phone moves between home Wi-Fi and a cellular network, what signal bars and connection symbols actually tell us, and why strong signal bars do not always mean fast internet. James also shares practical troubleshooting tips for common connectivity issues, including checking Wi-Fi settings, restarting a device and recognizing when an internet outage or weak cellular signal may be the problem. The episode also covers public Wi-Fi and why users should be cautious about entering sensitive information when connected to an open network. Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of how their devices stay connected and greater confidence troubleshooting common connection problems. About Tech@Home Tech@Home by Parasol Alliance provides hands-on technology support and education designed specifically for senior living residents. From smartphones and tablets to Wi-Fi, streaming, smart home devices, and online safety, Tech@Home helps residents safely and confidently use technology to stay connected, independent, and engaged. Send us Fan Mail Find us online: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
August 6, 2026Episode 13543 min
135. Building a Better Senior Living Sales Engine with CCR Growth
Families are researching senior living communities long before they ever submit a form, make a call, or schedule a tour. By the time a prospect reaches out, they may already have compared websites, read reviews, and formed an impression of several communities. Host Matt Reiners speaks with Jerry Vinci , founder of CCR Growth and a senior living sales and marketing strategist with nearly 30 years of industry experience. Jerry explains why outdated lead-management practices, disconnected systems, delayed responses, and poorly configured CRMs can quietly cost communities occupancy and family trust. He also shares practical guidance for using automation and AI without replacing the human conversations that matter most. Listeners will learn: Why digital presence now shapes the senior living buying journey How response automation can prevent inquiries from falling through the cracks What a properly configured CRM should accomplish Which sales moments should and should not be automated Where AI can make a practical difference today How to build a realistic 12-month technology modernization roadmap Why communities should work toward owning more of their lead pipeline Key Takeaways Families form an opinion before contacting the community Websites, reviews, search visibility, and response processes now influence the decision journey before a salesperson enters the conversation. Lead management must become a system A pipeline stored in one employee’s notebook, inbox, spreadsheet, or memory cannot be consistently measured, transferred, or improved. Start with response automation An immediate acknowledgment helps keep a family engaged until a salesperson can respond personally. The goal is not to automate the sale; it is to make sure no inquiry disappears. A CRM does not have to be complicated It needs to reliably capture inquiries, log interactions, show pipeline status, support follow-up, and match the organization’s actual sales process. Automate operational moments Appointment confirmations, reminders, acknowledgments, and document collection can often be automated. First calls, tours, care discussions, financial conversations, and closing conversations should remain human-led. Build the foundation before adding AI AI can strengthen follow-up sequencing, content development, lead scoring, and search visibility, but it should be added after response processes, CRM configuration, and attribution are working. Modernization should happen in phases Operators should diagnose the current experience, fix costly gaps, configure core systems, establish attribution, and then expand into AI-assisted tools. 00:00 Introduction to Jerry Vinci and CCR Growth 01:40 How senior living occupancy growth has changed 03:30 Lead management and marketing attribution 05:30 Why communities must modernize now 08:00 The hidden cost of slow response times 10:45 The danger of managing leads in notebooks 14:45 Which technology should communities implement first? 17:45 Response automation and CRM best practices 21:40 Practical AI applications in senior living sales 25:40 How AI is changing online search 27:50 Where AI should not replace people 30:20 Operational moments versus relational moments 34:20 A 12-month modernization roadmap 40:40 Why communities should own their pipeline 42:20 How to connect with Jerry Vinci More About Parasol Alliance : Parasol Alliance is a full-service technology partner exclusively serving the senior living industry. We help senior living organizations transform their technology culture through strategic planning, managed IT services, cybersecurity, infrastructure, business systems optimization, resident technology support, and innovation consulting. Learn more at www.parasolalliance.com and explore more episodes of Raising Tech at www.raisingtechpodcast.com . Send us Fan Mail Find us online: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
July 30, 2026Episode 13450 min
134. The Secret to Sustainable Innovation in Senior Living with Therese Ten Brinke
Matt Reiners recently sat down with longtime friend Therese Ten Brinke , Executive Director of Innovation and Impact at Eskaton . As a gerontologist, educator, and innovation leader, Therese shared a perspective that aligns closely with what we believe at Parasol Alliance: meaningful innovation doesn't begin with the latest technology. It begins with people, purpose, and culture. Their conversation explored how the language we use influences the aging experience, why technology should expand possibilities instead of simply addressing decline, and how the most impactful solutions come from listening to residents and frontline teams, not from sitting around a conference room. Send us Fan Mail Find us online: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
July 23, 2026Episode 13340 min
133. Building Relationships Before Move-In Using STAY
Host Amber Bardon sits down with Carmen Fronczak , Chief Revenue Officer at Friendship Village, President of FV Ventures, and CEO of STAY , alongside Brett Arndt , Founder and CEO of Experience Fresh and Co-founder of STAY . Together they discuss how a culture of innovation led Friendship Village to create STAY , a platform designed to engage older adults while they're still living at home. Rather than waiting until prospects are actively searching for senior living, STAY helps providers build meaningful relationships years earlier through technology that offers real value including AI assistance, technology support, wellness resources, safety features, and social engagement. The conversation also explores: Why innovation begins with organizational culture Creating value before the sales process begins Turning waitlists into membership programs Building trust with future residents The importance of CRM integration and workflow efficiency How consumer expectations are reshaping senior living What's next for technology supporting aging in place Whether you're a CEO, sales leader, marketer, or technology executive, this episode offers practical insights into creating stronger connections with future residents while positioning your organization for long-term success. More About STAY : Over years of visiting hundreds of communities and attending dozens of senior living conferences, we found one challenge keeps coming up: prospect engagement. Working closely with communities, we see firsthand how difficult it can be to keep prospects connected, informed, and confident as they move through the decision journey. STAY is the first prospect engagement app designed specifically to help senior living communities stay meaningfully connected with prospects between the first conversation and move-in. LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Additional marketing material is linked HERE More About Parasol Alliance : Parasol Alliance is a full-service technology partner exclusively serving the senior living industry. We help senior living organizations transform their technology culture through strategic planning, managed IT services, cybersecurity, infrastructure, business systems optimization, resident technology support, and innovation consulting. Learn more at www.parasolalliance.com and explore more episodes of Raising Tech at www.raisingtechpodcast.com . Send us Fan Mail Find us online: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
July 9, 2026Episode 13230 min
132. How The WorxHub is Transforming Senior Living Operations Through Connected Technology
In this episode of Raising Tech Podcast, Amber Bardon welcomes Ed Young and Taylor Furst from Brightly Software to discuss The WorxHub , a comprehensive operations platform purpose-built for senior living communities. While many organizations recognize The WorxHub as a maintenance management system, Ed and Taylor explain how it has evolved into a powerful operational platform that connects maintenance, housekeeping, transportation, resident services, security, IT, asset management, and capital planning. They also share exciting updates on upcoming integrations, practical applications of artificial intelligence, and strategies for helping frontline staff embrace technology. Learn more about Brightly Software on their website . Send us Fan Mail Find us online: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
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