CAST Commission: Harnessing the Power of Technology

Technology has changed every aspect of our personal lives and it has disrupted many industries over the past few decades. The aging services sector is not immune to this disruption.

The CAST Commissioners spent their Spring meeting exploring ways to harness technology’s disruptive power by creating new and innovative ways to provide long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC). 

A new CAST report, entitled Accelerating Innovation: Harnessing the Power of Technology for the Success of LTPAC Organizations and the People They Serve, summarizes the meeting’s presentations and discussions.

The CAST Commissioners explored a variety of innovations affecting the LTPAC field, including:

• Innovations in payment reform. CAST Chair Mark McClellan shared the latest developments in the federal government’s effort to implement new payment systems that will revolutionize the way LTPAC providers deliver services and supports to older adults and the way providers interact with health care partners.

• Innovations in technology development. The Commission heard about the technology solutions that young innovators created during the LeadingAge HackFest last October. After representatives of the top 4 HackFest teams described their innovative solutions, Commissioners asked questions, offered advice, and contemplated how they and CAST could support and accelerate similar innovations.

• Innovations that are currently being implemented by LeadingAge members. During a technology symposium following the Commission meeting, 5 CAST members explained how they are incorporating technology into their care delivery systems to make their business models more efficient and cost-effective.