On Aging Reflection
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 not 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.
This reflects a broader shift in the aging landscape: moving away from technology-first thinking toward solutions that integrate seamlessly into daily life. We loved hearing this perspective shine through in sessions at the AgeTech Stage, hosted by AARP.
Co-creation: building with, not for
Perhaps the most consistent theme across sessions was the importance of co-creation.
There was a strong emphasis on deeply understanding problems before moving to solutions — and on involving older adults, caregivers, and communities directly in the design process. Rather than designing in isolation, organizations are increasingly bringing end users into the process early and often.
This approach not only leads to more effective solutions, but builds trust and increases the likelihood of long-term adoption.
What this means going forward
The conversations at On Aging reinforced a critical shift: progress in aging is not just about new ideas, but about how those ideas are developed and implemented.
For organizations working in rural communities, this means continuing to prioritize:
practical, real-world solutions
community-driven problem definition
and technology that fits into existing workflows and environments
At AscendRural, this perspective continues to shape how we approach our work, from defining problem statements to identifying and piloting solutions alongside community partners.
We are very grateful to American Society on Aging for putting together such a thoughtful event, and look forward to continued partnership with an organization making such strong impact in such an important sector.