I had the opportunity to attend and participate in the LeadingAge California BOLD Conference, held May 20–22, and I came away inspired, energized, and deeply appreciative of the work being done across the senior living field.
First, I want to recognize LeadingAge California itself. It is a phenomenal organization that supports nonprofit senior living communities, their staff members, and the residents they serve throughout the state. The association plays an important role in bringing people together around shared challenges, new ideas, advocacy, innovation, workforce development, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of older adults. In an industry facing significant demographic shifts, workforce shortages, and increasing expectations around technology and resident experience, organizations like LeadingAge California provide an invaluable forum for collaboration and learning.
JoyLiving by ONSCREEN is proud to be a member of LeadingAge California because our work is directly aligned with that mission. We provide services to senior living communities that help bring innovation, connection, and joy into the community while also supporting staff members who are being asked to do more than ever. Conferences like BOLD remind me how many passionate, mission-driven people are working every day to improve aging services and create better experiences for residents and their families.
One of the themes that stood out most clearly at this year’s conference was the growing importance of artificial intelligence. AI is the hottest topic at nearly every conference right now, and BOLD was no exception. What I appreciated, though, was that the conversations were not shallow or hype-driven. The sessions focused on real questions: How do we implement AI ethically? How do we use data responsibly? How do we create the right safeguards, governance, and guardrails? And most importantly, how can AI actually improve the lives of residents and support the people who care for them?
One excellent session focused on using AI to increase resident engagement, led by Davis Park from Front Porch and Lydia Nguyen from LifeLoop. It was a strong example of how forward-thinking organizations are exploring AI not as a replacement for human connection, but as a way to strengthen engagement and create more meaningful touchpoints for residents.
Front Porch is one of the most innovative nonprofit senior living organizations in the country. Serving thousands of older adults through senior living communities, affordable housing programs, and community services, Front Porch has long been recognized for its commitment to helping people live connected and fulfilled lives as they age. What particularly stands out about Front Porch is its willingness to embrace innovation while remaining deeply focused on resident well-being.
A major driver of that innovation is the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing, located in Glendale, California. The center serves as a hub for exploring how technology, research, and new models of care can improve quality of life for older adults. Rather than adopting technology for technology’s sake, Front Porch evaluates solutions through the lens of resident outcomes, engagement, independence, and overall wellbeing. Hearing Davis Park discuss AI and resident engagement reflected that same thoughtful approach and demonstrated why Front Porch continues to be viewed as a leader in the field.
Lydia Nguyen represented LifeLoop, another organization that has made a significant impact on senior living. LifeLoop was founded by Jack York, a pioneer in resident engagement technology who has spent decades advocating for meaningful connections and quality of life for older adults. It was great to see Jack at the conference and to witness the continued growth of the company he founded.
LifeLoop provides a resident and staff engagement platform used by senior living communities across the country. The platform helps communities manage activities, communication, resident profiles, family engagement, and personalized experiences. By centralizing information and making it easier for staff to understand resident preferences and interests, LifeLoop helps communities create more individualized and engaging experiences. The discussion highlighted how AI can further enhance these capabilities by helping staff identify opportunities for engagement and better understand resident needs.
Another session I really enjoyed focused on leveraging data responsibly and making sure communities have the right practices in place for data use, storage, privacy, cybersecurity, and AI governance. That session was led by Joe Livingston from K4Connect and Michael Scaff from Sequoia Living. These are exactly the kinds of conversations our industry needs to be having as AI becomes more embedded in daily operations.
K4Connect has become one of the leading technology providers serving senior living communities. The company is best known for its FusionOS platform, which integrates smart devices, community systems, resident services, and operational technologies into a unified ecosystem. K4Connect helps communities deploy solutions ranging from smart home technologies and voice assistants to wellness monitoring and operational analytics. Their mission is centered on empowering older adults through technology while helping operators improve efficiency and resident satisfaction. Joe Livingston brought a practical perspective to the discussion, emphasizing the importance of governance, security, and responsible implementation as organizations adopt increasingly sophisticated technologies.
Michael Scaff represented Sequoia Living, one of California’s most respected nonprofit senior living organizations. Sequoia Living operates a range of communities and services designed to support older adults across different stages of aging. What makes Sequoia Living particularly noteworthy is its commitment to innovation, lifelong learning, wellness, and person-centered care. The organization has consistently demonstrated a willingness to explore new approaches while maintaining a strong focus on mission and resident experience. Their leadership in areas such as technology adoption, resident engagement, and organizational culture has made them a model for many other providers. Michael’s insights on data stewardship and governance reflected the thoughtful and responsible approach that organizations like Sequoia Living bring to innovation.
A special highlight of the conference was the gala, which is always a wonderful experience. This was my third year attending, and this year felt especially meaningful because it celebrated the life’s work and leadership of Jeannee Parker Martin, the outgoing President and CEO of LeadingAge California.
The tribute included a beautiful slide gallery showing Jeannee’s journey from her youth, through university and studying abroad, to becoming the remarkable leader she is today. It was a powerful reminder of the impact that mission-oriented leadership and a life of service can have. Under Jeannee’s leadership, LeadingAge California has strengthened its role as a voice for aging services providers while helping members navigate some of the most challenging periods in recent history. The standing ovation she received was well deserved, and it was clear how much respect and admiration she has earned throughout the industry.
Another major highlight for me was the opportunity to present JoyLiving and JoyCalls to a full room of senior living operators and staff members. I shared how Joy can help reduce isolation and loneliness among residents while also reducing staff burden by automating tasks such as call handling, call summarization, call dispatching, and even the creation of maintenance orders.
The audience was highly engaged, and the discussion reinforced something I hear repeatedly throughout the industry: communities are looking for practical solutions that improve resident experiences while helping staff operate more efficiently. AI has tremendous potential, but only when it solves real problems and integrates naturally into existing workflows.
I was fortunate to present alongside Mary Winners, CEO of About Senior Solutions, a respected expert in aging services, care management, and senior advocacy. About Senior Solutions provides care management, placement assistance, family support, and consulting services designed to help older adults and their families navigate the often-complex aging journey. The organization serves as a trusted resource for families facing decisions related to housing, healthcare, caregiving, and long-term planning.
Mary has spent many years working directly with older adults and their families and is widely recognized for her expertise in geriatric care management. Her practical experience, compassion, and deep understanding of the challenges facing seniors make her a highly respected voice in the field. During our session, she brought valuable perspectives on resident needs, family dynamics, and the importance of maintaining human-centered approaches even as technology becomes more prevalent. Being part of that panel with her was a privilege, and I appreciated the thoughtful engagement from everyone in the room.
Beyond the sessions themselves, one of the greatest values of the BOLD Conference is the opportunity to connect with leaders from across the senior living ecosystem. Operators, technology providers, clinicians, researchers, consultants, and advocates all come together with a shared purpose: improving the lives of older adults. Those conversations in hallways, networking events, meals, and breakout sessions often prove just as valuable as the formal presentations.
Overall, the LeadingAge California BOLD Conference was a phenomenal experience. It showcased not only the challenges facing our industry but also the creativity, dedication, and innovation being applied to solve them. From discussions about AI and data governance to resident engagement, workforce support, and organizational leadership, the conference highlighted the tremendous momentum that exists across the aging services sector.
For anyone working in senior living, aging services, healthcare, or innovation for older adults in California, I highly recommend attending the next conference. There is so much to learn, and more importantly, so many mission-driven people to connect with. Events like BOLD remind us that while technology continues to evolve rapidly, our ultimate goal remains unchanged: helping older adults live healthier, happier, more connected lives.
See you next year.
