Raising Tech, powered by Parasol Alliance

Hosted by Amber Bardon, Matt Reiners

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Episodes

126

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

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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60 recent

June 11, 2026Episode 12941 min

129. Technology's Growing Role in Resident Engagement with Kelly Stranburg

In this episode of Raising Tech, Matt sits down with Kelly Stranburg, Vice President of Healthy Aging and Longevity at Westminster Communities of Florida, to talk about how resident engagement has evolved and why technology is playing a bigger role than ever.Kelly shares her journey into senior living, why truly knowing residents matters, and how technology is helping communities create more personalized experiences. From fitness equipment packed with data insights to AI-powered engagement tools, the conversation explores the opportunities, challenges, and learning curves that come with innovation.They also discuss the impact of COVID on technology adoption, how communities can evaluate ROI through both financial returns and resident impact, and why technology skills are becoming essential across every department in senior living.Tune in for an honest conversation about resident engagement, innovation, and the future of technology in aging services.Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn.Send us Fan MailFind us online: WebsiteFacebook InstagramLinkedIn

May 28, 2026Episode 12830 min

128. Empathy at the Center of AI-Powered Care with Nobi

Amber Bardon talks with Andrew Gall from Nobi about how AI-powered technology is changing the way senior living communities approach falls prevention. Andrew shares his journey from senior living operator to tech leader and explains why keeping caregivers and residents at the center of innovation matters so much. The conversation covers how Nobi’s smart lamps work, using AI to detect falls, identify risky behaviors, and even help prevent incidents before they happen. Amber and Andrew also discuss Nobi’s new nurse call capabilities, how predictive insights can support better care decisions, and why falls technology is becoming a much bigger operational conversation for senior living providers. A big theme throughout the episode is empathy, both in how technology is designed and how it supports staff, residents, and families. Andrew shares how the right technology can reduce caregiver stress, improve resident safety, and help communities deliver more proactive, personalized care.Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn. Learn more about Nobi on their website.Send us Fan MailFind us online: WebsiteFacebook InstagramLinkedIn

May 21, 2026Episode 12734 min

127. Where Senior Living Tech Is Headed Next with Murry Mercier

Amber sits down with Murry Mercier from PointClickCare to talk about the current state of senior living tech and why it still feels so complicated.They unpack the real challenges operators are facing every day. Murry shares how PointClickCare has evolved over the years, what’s coming next (including AI and new EHR experiences), and why the industry has to shift from thinking about “projects” to long-term value and sustainability.They also dig into the bigger picture, including how leadership is what actually drives transformation. At the end of the day, the goal is better outcomes for residents and staff.Connect with Murry on LinkedIn.Send us Fan MailFind us online: WebsiteFacebook InstagramLinkedIn

May 7, 2026Episode 12629 min

126. Rethinking Resident Safety Without Cameras with Helpany and United Zion

In this episode of Raising Tech, Amber Bardon is joined by Sandro Cilurzo of Helpany and Miranda Troyer from United Zion to explore a new approach to fall prevention in senior living. They discuss how radar-based, privacy-first technology is helping communities shift from reacting to falls to proactively identifying risk before incidents occur.Miranda shares insights from implementation, including resident and staff reception, workflow changes, and the importance of balancing safety with independence. The conversation highlights how thoughtful technology adoption can improve care outcomes while preserving dignity and reducing staff burden.Learn more about Helpany on their website or click here.Case Study: United ZionCase Study: Fellowship Square MesaSend us Fan MailFind us online: WebsiteFacebook InstagramLinkedIn

May 1, 2026Episode 1258 min

125. Resident Exclusive- Outlook Folders & Rules

In this episode of Raising Tech Resident Exclusives, Nora from Mary’s Woods walks through the fundamentals of email and shares practical tips for staying organized using Microsoft Outlook. From understanding how email actually works behind the scenes to setting up folders and rules, this episode is designed to simplify everyday tech for residents.Watch the full video demo: www.parasolalliance.com/residentsLearn about Tech@Home: www.parasolalliance.com/techathomeSend us Fan MailFind us online: WebsiteFacebook InstagramLinkedIn

April 16, 2026Episode 12420 min

124. How Teton Turns Data Into Better Resident Care

Matt sits down with Katie Grant, President of U.S. Operations at Teton, for a really thoughtful conversation about what it actually means to bring AI into senior living in a way that works.Katie brings a unique perspective to the table, with over 20 years as a nurse and experience across just about every corner of senior care. That background really shapes how she thinks about technology. Not as something flashy or “innovative for the sake of innovation,” but as a tool to make life easier for caregivers and safer for residents.A standout moment is the discussion around privacy. Katie is very clear that for Teton, privacy is the foundation. Instead of focusing on “computer vision,” she frames it as ambient monitoring that looks for patterns and safety signals without identifying individuals or recording their lives. That clarity is key when building trust with residents, families, and staff.Resources:Sagora Pilot StoryConnect with Katie on LinkedIn. Follow Teton on LinkedIn and learn more on their website.About Teton:Teton is a healthcare technology company that uses AI and privacy-first monitoring to help senior living communities detect risks earlier and improve resident care. Their platform analyzes patterns like movement, sleep, and behavior to surface meaningful insights Instead of adding more systems, Teton integrates into existing workflows, helping teams respond faster, document more accurately, and ultimately shift from reactive car.e to proactive, preventative support. Send us Fan MailFind us online: WebsiteFacebook InstagramLinkedIn

April 2, 2026Episode 12325 min

123. Bluestem Communities & Modified Logic: Streamlining Workflows Across Departments with Document Management

This episode of Raising Tech dives into what it actually looks like to select and implement a document management system across an entire organization.Amber is joined by Madelyn Giroux from Bluestem Communities and Ashley Jackson & Kelly McCormick from Modified Logic to break down the full journey from RFP to real-world results.They unpack:Why Bluestem moved beyond a legacy, accounting-focused systemThe value of involving multiple departments in tech decisionsHow Laserfiche enables automation, integrations, and better workflowsReal examples of efficiency gains (like automated pre-hire onboarding 👏)Why you shouldn’t just recreate old processes in a new systemAnd yes… where AI is actually making an impact todayIf you’re thinking about a new system or just want to avoid common mistakes, this episode is packed with practical advice from both the client and implementation side.At the end of the day, it’s all about this: technology should make your processes easier, not just digital.Learn more about Bluestem Communities on their website.Learn more about Modified Logic on their website.Send us Fan MailFind us online: WebsiteFacebook InstagramLinkedIn

April 1, 2026Episode 12212 min

122. Resident Exclusive- Apple Intelligence

In this episode, Michael Lynn explores Apple Intelligence and how it enhances your everyday experience across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Learn how built-in AI tools can help you write, organize, create, and even interact with the world through your camera.Key Takeaways Apple Intelligence is built directly into Apple devices with the latest iOS 26 Writing tools can rewrite, proofread, and summarize content instantly Priority notifications surface the most important emails and messages AI-powered image tools allow for editing and generation of visuals Visual Intelligence uses your camera to capture, understand, and act on information ChatGPT integration expands what Apple AI can do Watch the Demo Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGMhQkHCjxoListen & Connect Visit raisingtechpodcast.com and follow Raising Tech Podcast on social media for more episodes.Send us Fan MailFind us online: WebsiteFacebook InstagramLinkedIn

March 19, 2026Episode 12134 min

121. Aligning Technology, Operations, and Resident Needs with Ray Benegas

Amber Bardon sits down with Ray Benegas, VP of IT and CISO at Presbyterian Living, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build a strong technology culture in senior living. Ray shares how staying closely connected to residents, staff, and leadership helps his team move beyond reactive IT support and become a true strategic partner to the organization.Amber and Ray explore why technology cannot be treated as just infrastructure anymore. From business systems and project planning to innovation governance and cybersecurity, they discuss the importance of creating a strong foundation before chasing the latest trends. They also talk through the realities of technical debt, modernization, resident expectations, roadmapping, and the challenge of balancing exciting innovation with the less glamorous but essential work of maintaining core systems.You can connect with Ray on LinkedIn.Send us Fan MailFind us online: WebsiteFacebook InstagramLinkedIn

March 5, 2026Episode 12036 min

120. Meela and RiverSpring: Beating Depression & Anxiety With Companion AI

Host Matt Reiners is joined by Josh Sach, Founder and CEO of Meela, and David Finkelstein, CIO of RiverSpring Living, to discuss how AI companion technology is transforming senior living.Josh shares the personal story that inspired him to create Meela, a voice-based AI companion accessible through any phone that provides conversation, emotional support, and practical assistance for older adults. Designed to help address social isolation and the growing care gap, Meela offers 24/7 engagement while encouraging healthy habits and human connection.David explains how RiverSpring Living piloted Meela across multiple levels of care and conducted a clinical study that showed measurable reductions in anxiety, loneliness, and depression among participating residents. He also discusses how AI can serve as a workforce multiplier, supporting staff by identifying resident concerns and improving communication.Together, they explore the balance between human care and AI assistance, the importance of thoughtful implementation, and how companion AI may play a critical role in the future of aging services.Learn more about RiverSpring Living's technology mission on their website.Discover more about Meela on their website.Send us Fan MailFind us online: WebsiteFacebook InstagramLinkedIn

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