AI-Powered Caregiving

Finding home care for a loved one can feel overwhelming — and for too many families, it starts the same way: you make the calls, and nobody calls you back. In this episode, we sit down with Jon Levinson, co-founder of Sage, an AI-powered platform built specifically for home care agencies. Jon shares how his own family's struggle to find care for his father led him from building billion-dollar logistics products at Uber to reimagining how home care agencies communicate, respond, and operate. We explore how AI is quietly transforming the home care search — and why that's very good news for families. Learn more: * sagecare.ai

What does it actually take to use technology thoughtfully in elder care — without losing the human connection that makes it work? Justine Medina Tamillo, VP of Business Development & Community Engagement at the Center for Elders' Independence (CEI), brings nearly 40 years of healthcare experience to that question. In this episode, she and host Majd Alwan explore how CEI is using augmented intelligence, remote monitoring, and digital tools to keep frail seniors safely at home, reduce hospitalizations, and free up clinicians to do what technology never can: truly show up for the people in their care.  Learn more about the Center for Elders' Independence at elders.org.

When someone has dementia, even a familiar TV show can become a source of confusion, fear, and agitation. But what if video could do the opposite — calm, comfort, and even connect? In this episode, we sit down with Bill Uniowski, co-founder of Zinnia TV, a research-backed streaming platform designed specifically for people living with dementia. Bill shares how Zinnia's slow, intentional video content is helping caregivers reduce agitation and spark conversation. If you care for someone with dementia — or love someone who does — this episode is for you. 

The traditional nursing home is fading—not because older adults don’t need care, but because the cost is skyrocketing. With the average semi-private room now over $100,000 a year, families and states face a budget crisis. Monte Coffman, Executive Director of Windsor Place, shares how his “Nursing Home Without Walls” model delivers high-quality care at home for a fraction of the cost. Learn why aging at home is becoming a necessity, how technology and advocacy can make it possible, and what families can do to support their loved ones’ independence and dignity.

Most technology is designed with a specific user in mind. But when it comes to older adults, innovators often forget to ask the most important question: what do they actually want? Today's guest has spent her career finding out. Dr. Julie Brown is a gerontologist, professor, and age tech researcher at Ohio University who studies how older adults really experience digital technology — from gaming to ambient monitoring to AI in the home. This is a conversation about dignity, design, and what it means to age well.

Millions of people are quietly doing it all — raising children, managing aging parents, and everything in between. Today's guest, Anna De La Cruz, knows that reality firsthand. A mom of three, former guardian to parents with dementia, and sister to a brother with Down syndrome, Ana has navigated nearly every dimension of caregiving at once. She's also the voice behind the Substack newsletter Gen X Sandwich, where she builds community for others in the same boat. This is a conversation about love, burnout, and what it really costs to care.Read Anna's Substack, Gen Xandwich: https://substack.com/@genxandwichAI-Powered Giving Show Notes: https://zemplee.com/podcasts

Malnutrition is one of the most overlooked threats to healthy aging — and the way we feed older adults is overdue for a rethink. In this episode, award-winning chef and food innovation leader James Briscione joins host Ishanya Anthapur to explore how AI is transforming nutrition for older adults. From his early work developing IBM's Chef Watson to founding CulinAI, James shares how precision AI can preserve cultural food memories, make smart ingredient swaps, and deliver meals that are medically appropriate and deeply personal. Because nourishing people well isn't just about nutrients — it's about dignity.

When a loved one needs care in a nursing home, the pressure to make the right choice can feel overwhelming — and most of us don't know what we're actually looking for. In this episode, Melissa Brown, a former occupational therapist turned healthcare consultant for Gravity Consulting, pulls back the curtain on what really signals quality care. She also gets honest about what she thinks AI can actually do for families navigating complex care. This is a conversation full of practical wisdom you can use right now.Reach Melissa at Gravity Consulting: https://gravityhealthcareconsulting.com

Ted Teele is using community, activity, and fun to help older adults boost brain health. He’s the founder of Longevity Community Consultants and Brain Boosters of America, which aim to enhance the quality of life for seniors through innovative approaches to health and wellness. He delves into the importance of brain health, the role of technology in cognitive engagement, and the concept of scientific wellness as a transformative approach to aging. 

Dr. Stephen Golant, a pioneering environmental gerontologist, talks about the intersection of aging, technology, and caregiving. They discuss how where we live influences our ability to age successfully, the importance of digital solutions in supporting independence, and the challenges of resistance to change among older adults. Dr. Golant emphasizes the need for digital literacy and the role of family caregivers in navigating new technologies.

What does it really mean to plan for aging — and why does waiting too long cost so much more than just money? In this episode, we sit down with Robin McCoy, a Dallas-based senior home coach and realtor with over 18 years of experience helping older adults and their families navigate one of life's biggest transitions. From home modifications and ADUs to reverse mortgages and house hacking, Robin shares practical strategies and honest advice for aging with dignity, independence, and intention.

Most older adults resist care until a crisis forces the issue. Kristen Krause, Regional Director at Senior Helpers, explains how remote monitoring and technology create a comfortable bridge between full independence and needing in-home caregivers. Learn how data helps families have fact-based conversations about safety without the emotional tug-of-war, and discover affordable options that fill the gap before 24/7 care becomes necessary.

Dr. Aaron Blight, caregiving researcher and founder of Caregiving Kinetics, shares how becoming a caregiver at 29 transformed his understanding of aging and disability. Learn about the cognitive shifts caregivers experience, his Caregiver Resilience and Mind Shift models, and why having end-of-life conversations early matters. Discover frameworks that help caregivers move beyond the endless task list to build lasting resilience.

How will AI and technology improve life for older adults in 2026? Host Ishanya Anthapur interviews Majd Alwan, an AI & digital health strategist in the aging services ecosystem and founder of ALWAN AIVantAge, about his predictions on how tech and AI will make a difference for older adults in 2026, wherever they are living.

1 of every 4 Americans is a caregiver, and as the U.S. population ages, more Americans will need care. But we face challenges: costs, staffing shortages, and more. Technology can help solve these challenges--and that's why Zemplee is launching AI-Powered Caregiving, a podcast about how AI and technology are being used today to help older adults and their families. In our premiere episode, you'll hear from Zemplee's CEO, Aparna Pujar, and Majd Alwan, a leading AI & Digital Health Strategist in the Aging Services Ecosystem, about how technology can support human caregiving—and why this podcast can be the start of the conversations we all need to have.

Shanna Eckberg recognized a gap in care for older adults: It's hard for professional caregivers to get to them frequently. So she started a virtual home care agency, Syncara Care. In this episode, she shares how technology and community networks are solving rural healthcare challenges.