The Adoption Gap 

Area of focus: Expanding access 

New diagnostic tools, remote monitoring, telehealth platforms, AI-powered coordination — the technology exists. But between the moment a tool is available and the moment it reaches the people it’s meant to serve, there’s a gap. In ASA’s Community Survey, 379 respondents said they want exposure to approaches from outside their usual circles — but only 111 said they get it today. This group explores that gap: why communities struggle to absorb new tools, what it takes to close the distance between innovation and adoption, and who gets left behind when we don’t. 

Questions this group might explore: 

Why do promising tools stall between development and community adoption? 

What does effective implementation support look like for aging services organizations with limited tech capacity? 

How do we ensure that new tools reduce disparities rather than deepen them? 

What can we learn from communities that have successfully adopted new approaches?