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BLOG | January 25

Reflecting on AI in Senior Living: Insights from Conversations with Joe Velderman and Sarah Thomas

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of diving into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) in senior living through conversations with two of the brightest minds in the industry: Joe Velderman, VP of Innovation at Cypress Living, and Sarah Thomas, CEO, global age-tech expert, and venture partner. Both Joe and Sarah bring unique perspectives, practical insights, and a shared passion for leveraging technology to enhance the lives of older adults and the people who care for them.

Their insights have left me both inspired and reflective about the transformative potential of AI in our field, and I wanted to take a moment to share some of the key takeaways, along with my own thoughts on how AI can shape the future of senior living.

 

Joe Velderman: Building a Culture of Innovation

Joe is one of those people who just gets it when it comes to innovation. At Cypress Living, he’s not just implementing technology, he’s building a culture around it. One of the standout moments in our conversation was when Joe described his four building blocks of technology: governance, infrastructure, enterprise applications, and data. These aren’t just technical terms, they’re the foundation for ensuring that technology adoption isn’t just a flashy project but a sustainable transformation.

What really struck me was how Joe frames AI as a tool to shift senior living from reactive to proactive care. He shared how Cypress Living is using voice assistants like Alexa to give residents more autonomy, whether it’s submitting work orders or checking the day’s schedule. Beyond convenience, this technology frees up staff to focus on personal interactions rather than administrative tasks.

Joe’s vision for integrating AI is rooted in practicality and heart. For example, Cypress is leveraging AI-driven chatbots like “Hugo” and “Dex” to help staff access information quickly, whether it’s clinical guidelines or operational procedures. This kind of automation isn’t about replacing people, it’s about making their lives easier so they can do what they do best: care for residents.

I loved Joe’s long-term vision for AI, where it becomes a central hub for synthesizing resident data, everything from eating habits to health metrics, allowing communities to truly understand and anticipate the needs of those they serve. That kind of proactive care could be a game-changer for our industry.

To listen to Joe’s interview please click here.

 

Sarah Thomas: A Global Perspective on Age-Tech

If there’s one person who embodies the intersection of innovation, business, and human-centered design, it’s Sarah Thomas. Her work spans continents, and she’s always thinking about how to bridge the gap between technology creators, senior living operators, and older adults themselves.

Sarah’s reflections on AI echoed many of Joe’s points but with a broader, global lens. She emphasized that AI isn’t just a tool, it’s a way to fundamentally rethink how we approach care, operations, and the overall resident experience. She talked about operators using AI to turn massive data lakes, think HR manuals or care protocols, into chatbots that empower staff to find answers without needing to call supervisors on a Saturday. It’s about creating efficiencies without sacrificing the human touch.

One of Sarah’s key points that really stuck with me was the importance of setting clear expectations when adopting technology. Whether it’s a splashy marketing campaign or a long-term culture shift, the success of AI and other tech tools often comes down to how well providers align their goals with the technology itself. It’s not just about adopting the coolest gadget, it’s about solving real problems for residents, staff, and families.

To listen to Sarah’s interview please click here.

 

My Reflections: AI as a Tool for Connection

After these conversations, one thing is clear: AI has immense potential in senior living, but its success depends on how we implement it. Both Joe and Sarah are shining examples of leaders who are thoughtful about balancing innovation with the human-centered care that defines our industry.

One theme that resonated with me is trust and transparency. Joe made a great point about how residents and families are sometimes wary of technology, especially when it involves collecting data. But when you communicate openly about how that data will be used to improve their experience, whether it’s predicting health needs or making their day-to-day lives more convenient, the hesitation often turns into enthusiasm.

Sarah also reminded me that we’re living in an age where the consumer experience outside senior living, think Amazon, Uber, or even smart homes, is setting the bar for what residents expect when they move into our communities. If we don’t meet or exceed those expectations, we risk being left behind.

At the same time, we need to remember what makes our industry special: the human connection. AI should never replace the heart of what we do. Instead, it should amplify it by freeing up time, providing insights, and enabling us to be more present with the people we serve.

 

The Responsible Use of AI in Senior Living

As we integrate AI into senior living, it’s crucial to consider the ethical implications and responsible use of this technology. AI has the power to enhance care, increase efficiency, and improve quality of life, but it also comes with risks, especially around privacy, bias, and decision-making.

Here are a few guiding principles for the responsible use of AI in senior living:

  1. Transparency & Consent: Residents, families, and staff should understand how AI is being used, what data is being collected, and how it will benefit them. Open communication builds trust and reduces fear.
  2. Data Privacy & Security: With AI relying on vast amounts of data, strong security measures must be in place to protect resident and staff information. Operators should prioritize compliance with regulations like HIPAA and ensure ethical data use.
  3. Human Oversight: AI should support, not replace, human decision-making. Whether it’s predictive analytics for health care or chatbot-driven responses, there should always be a human in the loop to validate critical decisions.
  4. Fairness & Inclusivity: AI systems should be designed to serve all residents equitably, avoiding biases that could lead to unequal care. Ensuring diverse data inputs and continuous monitoring can help maintain fair outcomes.
  5. Sustained Training & Education: AI tools are only as effective as the people using them. Ongoing education and training for staff will ensure AI adoption is smooth, ethical, and beneficial for both caregivers and residents.

By prioritizing responsible AI practices, we can ensure that AI remains a force for good, one that empowers caregivers, enhances the resident experience, and upholds the core values of compassion and dignity in senior living.

 

The Road Ahead

Looking ahead, I see a few key opportunities for AI in senior living:

  1. Proactive Care Models: By integrating AI with data from wearables, smart homes, and health records, communities can anticipate resident needs and deliver care before issues arise.
  2. Staff Augmentation: Tools like chatbots and automation can reduce administrative burdens, allowing staff to focus on building relationships with residents.
  3. Personalized Resident Experiences: From customizing dining menus to tailoring activities, AI can help communities create experiences that resonate with each individual.
  4. Integration and Collaboration: Sarah made an excellent point about the importance of collaboration. Whether it’s vendors working together to create integrated solutions or providers partnering to share best practices, the future of senior living will depend on our ability to work together.

 

Final Thoughts

AI isn’t a magic bullet, but it’s an incredibly powerful tool. As Joe and Sarah both highlighted, it’s not about chasing the next shiny object: it’s about using technology to solve real problems, enhance lives, and create communities where residents and staff thrive.

I’m grateful to leaders like Joe Velderman and Sarah Thomas for sharing their insights and showing what’s possible when innovation meets purpose. As we continue to explore AI’s role in senior living, let’s remember that our ultimate goal is simple: to create environments where people feel connected, cared for, and empowered to live their best lives.

What do you think? How can AI elevate the senior living experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 

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