Driving the Future of Aging Services Through Innovation
The future of aging services will not be shaped by standing still. It will be shaped by organizations willing to ask new questions, test new ideas, and work together in different ways.
That is the driving force behind the LeadingAge PA Innovations Committee, which was established to facilitate the creation of a central hub that connects innovative solutions, technologies, and ideas with real-world use cases in the aging services sector.
It aims to drive transformation by facilitating collaboration among innovators, technology providers, care organizations, and other stakeholders, ensuring that promising innovations are matched to the needs and challenges of Pennsylvania’s aging services providers.
“Aging services is operating in a rapidly shifting environment, consumer expectations, workforce realities, reimbursement, and regulatory pressures are all changing,” Innovations Committee Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Holy Family Senior Living Len Weiser shared. “As leaders, we have a responsibility not just to react, but to stay open to new possibilities and actively explore better ways of serving. Innovation isn’t optional; it’s essential to sustaining our mission and relevance.”
That mindset reflects the broader purpose of the committee: creating conditions for members to be successful in innovation while helping them navigate a sector that continues to evolve. Through education, networking, research, resource sharing, and advocacy, the committee is focused on helping providers stay ahead of emerging challenges and opportunities.
One of the committee’s first priorities is education, including fostering an innovative mindset and delivering practical training. Priorities also include strengthening peer learning, facilitating co-creation, supporting pilot programs, curating innovative resources, and promoting policy change.
Committee members agree that collaboration is at the center of meaningful innovation.
“Collaboration is foundational,” Weiser said. “No single provider, vendor, or system has all the answers. Real innovation happens when providers, health systems, technology partners, community organizations, and even non-traditional partners, along with residents, come together to define problems and test solutions in real-world settings.”
Innovation Committee Education Taskforce Chair and Principal/CEO of Bright Solutions Katie Griffith emphasized that innovation is not limited to technology teams or IT departments.
“Collaboration is essential because innovation in aging services is not an IT function alone. Some of the most meaningful innovation is already happening every day in operations, clinical support, dining, life enrichment, sales, and other areas where teams are constantly finding better ways to serve residents and work more effectively.”
That perspective is especially important as aging services enters a period of rapid change driven by demographic shifts, workforce challenges, and the growing role of artificial intelligence and other technologies.
“I am inspired by the moment aging services is in right now,” Griffith shared. “We are facing a major demographic shift at the same time that AI and other technologies are rapidly changing what is possible.”
For providers interested in embracing innovation in their own organizations, committee members encourage starting with the problem rather than the product.
“Start with the problem, not the product,” Weiser advised. “Be clear about what you’re trying to improve and involve your team and those you serve in defining that need. Start small, learn quickly, and adjust as needed.”
As part of its broader strategic plan, LeadingAge PA has identified the Innovations Committee as a key driver of igniting change across aging services in Pennsylvania, and a way to further our mission of advancing the evolving continuum of aging services. By bringing together forward-thinking leaders and creating space for new ideas, the committee is helping members prepare not only for what is happening today but also for what’s ahead in aging services.