Earlier this month, members of the AscendRural team attended American Society on Aging’s annual conference, On Aging. The experience left the team both inspired and grounded in the realities of advancing aging well. Across sessions, conversations, and informal moments, a few themes stood out — not just in what is changing, but in how change is happening.
The power of people
While the conference brought forward innovative ideas and emerging models, what stood out most was the people behind the work.
Across sessions, there was a consistent depth of care, thoughtfulness, and commitment to improving the lives of older adults. The individuals leading this work — as well as those actively listening and engaging — reinforced a simple but critical truth: meaningful innovation in aging starts with understanding people.
The quality of attention, empathy, and intention in the room created a strong sense of momentum for where this field is heading.
Rural at the forefront
There was a noticeable and encouraging shift toward greater focus on rural and underserved communities.
These communities, often overlooked in traditional innovation cycles, were being intentionally centered in both conversation and solution design. Many AgeTech entrepreneurs spoke to the realities of building for rural environments — designing solutions that account for limited broadband, lower connectivity, and minimal setup requirements.
The message was clear: innovation that works in rural settings is often more resilient, practical, and scalable overall.
Technology as an enabler
Technology was present throughout the conference, but rarely positioned as the starting point.
Instead, it was framed as a tool — one that, when thoughtfully applied, can enhance quality of life, extend independence, and support caregivers. Conversations emphasized designing technology that is intuitive, unobtrusive, and aligned with real human needs. Meeting people where they are at with technology, versus encouraging behavior change.
