NIC Chats

In this episode of NIC Chats, recorded live at the 2025 NIC Fall Conference, David Sawyer, founder and CEO of TSO Life joins host Lisa McCracken to share the origins and evolution of TSO Life—a resident insight and experience platform reshaping senior living. 

Learn about the innovative AI behind TSO Life, built on over 150,000 interviews, and how its personalized approach helps staff better understand and engage with residents at every level of care. Explore topics such as resident data collection, the unique resident quality of life score, predictive analytics for length of stay, and integrating actionable insights for all staff roles—from dining to memory care.

Whether you’re an operator, care provider, or tech enthusiast, you’ll want to listen in on this compelling conversation about operationalizing engagement and leveraging data to drive transformative experiences in senior living communities.

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

NIC Chats was live at the 2025 NIC Fall Conference in Austin as Lisa McCracken, Head of Research & Analytics at NIC sat down with Brett Landrum, CEO of Procare HR, for a candid conversation on growth, innovation, and the future of HR in senior care. Hear pivotal moments from Procare’s ten-year journey, lessons learned, and the evolving landscape of workforce management in the industry. 

Gain insight into the need for integrated, accountable partnerships in HR services, and learn how HR can be a strategic driver for quality care. 

Don’t miss this episode filled with leadership insights, industry trends, and big-picture thinking from the heart of senior care innovation.

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Host Lisa McCracken welcomes Lynn Jerath, founder and president of Citrine Investment Group and a Forbes 50 Over 50 honoree, for an engaging conversation about the role of family offices in senior housing investment. 

Lynn shares her 30-year career journey—from major real estate funds to launching Citrine—and offers an insider’s perspective on what family offices are, how to build relationships with them, and why their flexible approach suits the specialized world of senior housing. 

The conversation covers direct vs. fund investments, key advice for new investors, and Lynn’s bullish outlook for senior housing amid rising demand and limited new supply. Discover practical tips for accessing capital and hear what makes senior housing a compelling opportunity for today’s investors. 

If you’re interested in how capital is flowing into senior housing, informed by practical advice from an industry leader, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Rounding out NIC Chats' value-based care series, Lynne Katzmann, founder and CEO of Juniper Communities, joins host Lisa McCracken for an insightful discussion on one operator’s journey successfully implementing outcomes-driven care models in senior living. Juniper's experience with integrated care offers actionable lessons for other senior living providers seeking to improve outcomes, resident satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

Listen to learn:

• The fundamentals of value-based care and its impact on resident outcomes, satisfaction, and cost management, based on firsthand operator experience.
• Practical advice for senior living operators considering value-based care, including essential partnerships, technology investments, and foundational best practices.
• How Juniper’s "Connect4Life" program and operator-owned Medicare Advantage plan are transforming care transitions and reimbursement models.
• The importance of data, communication, and a values-driven approach in achieving success under value-based care arrangements.
• The benefits of being part of an operator-owned Medicare Advantage plan.

Whether you’re a senior living operator, provider, or industry enthusiast, this episode offers actionable insights and inspiration for navigating the evolving landscape of senior care.

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Continuing the NIC Chats series focused on value-based care, host Lisa McCracken welcomes Sarah Thomas — AgeTech advisor, and global innovator — for an illuminating deep dive into the transformative role of data and technology in senior living. 

Hear why value-based care demands a culture shift where data becomes a strategic asset, not just a compliance tool, and why embracing technology is an enabler for delivering personalized, predictive, and efficient care. 

Gain practical strategies for getting started with value-based care, such as focusing on one clinical area, building cross-functional teams, and choosing tech partners who understand both healthcare and senior living. Key takeaways include:

• The importance of integrating clinical, social, and engagement data for a 360-degree view of residents
• How predictive analytics and AI are shifting care from reactive to proactive
• Tips for vetting technology partners and aligning solutions with organizational goals
• A vision for the future: smart rooms, digital biomarkers, and senior living communities as true clinical partners in the care continuum

Whether you’re a senior housing and care operator, investor, or tech innovator, this episode offers actionable advice and an inspiring roadmap for thriving in a rapidly evolving sector.

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

In this first episode in the NIC Chats series on value-based care, host Lisa McCracken, Head of Research & Analytics at NIC, sits down with Anne Tumlinson, CEO and founder of ATI Advisory, to demystify value-based care in the senior living sector. Together, they break down what value-based care really means and why it matters for operators and residents alike.  

Tumlinson explains how senior living communities can leverage their unique environments to deliver better health outcomes and resident experiences, the importance of scale and partnerships, and the operational and financial considerations of implementing value-based care arrangements. The conversation also explores the evolving policy landscape, including new opportunities signaled by the latest federal strategies, and why the industry is at risk of falling behind.  

Whether you’re a senior living operator, care provider, or industry stakeholder, this episode offers timely guidance on embracing innovation and staying ahead in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. 

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

In this episode of NIC Chats, host Lisa McCracken sits down with Eric Winograd, Chief Economist at AllianceBernstein, to unpack the economic turbulence shaking markets, businesses, and households across the U.S. and beyond. From dramatic policy shifts and new tariffs to the ripple effects on inflation, growth, and consumer confidence, Winograd offers a candid, data-driven look at what’s driving today’s volatility, and what it could mean for senior housing.

Highlights include:

• Why “uncertainty” is the economic watchword of the moment
• The real impact of tariffs on prices, growth, and investment decisions
• How labor shortages and demographics are shaping construction and caregiving
• What to expect from the Fed and fiscal policy in the months ahead
• The outlook for international investment and U.S. market stability

Tune in for expert insights on navigating a bumpy economic ride and why, despite the challenges, the U.S. may be better positioned than many think.

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

What does the future of senior living look like when real estate trends intersect with the needs of a new generation? Host Lisa McCracken sits down with real estate researcher John Burns, CEO of John Burns Research and Consulting, to uncover the surprising ways baby boomers are rewriting the rules of retirement living. Learn why most retirees choose to age in place, the rise of multi-generational living, and the growing popularity of “build-to-rent” communities as flexible options for older adults seeking proximity to family. 

Burns offers a candid look at how labor shortages, material price hikes, and immigration trends are influencing both the availability and affordability of senior housing. He underscores the importance of investing in staff as a key differentiator for senior living communities. 

Looking ahead, McCracken and Burns discuss how advances in technology — particularly artificial intelligence and robotics — could transform aging in place and healthcare delivery, potentially extending both lifespan and healthspan for seniors.  

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Is the caregiver shortage keeping you up at night? You're not alone—and there's a solution. In this episode of NIC Chats, recorded live at the 2025 NIC Spring Conference in San Diego, Lisa McCracken, Head of Research & Analytics at NIC, sits down with Jennifer Adams of Smartlinx to explore how innovative workforce technology is transforming post-acute care. With over 25 years in the industry, Smartlinx offers solutions for solving staffing challenges through smarter scheduling, compliance tools, and cost-saving strategies.

Adams dives into the root causes of the labor crisis—rising costs, burnout, and turnover—and explains how disconnected systems are holding facilities back. She shares real-world success stories of how Smartlinx’s integrated platform has helped organizations reduce overtime, improve staff retention, and minimize reliance on costly agency labor. Whether you're a leader in post-acute care or simply curious about the future of healthcare staffing, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

From uncovering hidden labor costs to creating sustainable solutions for staff satisfaction, this conversation offers a roadmap for overcoming workforce challenges. Tune in to learn how technology can help your organization thrive while ensuring better outcomes for caregivers and residents alike.

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

The traditional HR department is undergoing a transformation in senior care. What was once a siloed administrative function is now emerging as a strategic driver of business outcomes—when implemented correctly.

This eye-opening conversation with Paul Jarvis from Procare HR explores how senior living and skilled nursing organizations can reimagine their HR functions to directly support broader business goals. Jarvis breaks down how the fragmented approach of disconnected payroll, benefits, and scheduling systems fails to provide the insights needed for strategic decision-making in today's challenging environment. He shares practical examples of how properly implemented HR systems can reduce agency costs, optimize staffing for resident needs, and improve financial performance through targeted recruitment strategies.

Ready to transform how you think about HR? This conversation will challenge your assumptions and provide a roadmap for aligning your people operations with your organizational mission. The future of senior care depends not just on clinical excellence but on the strategic management of our most valuable resource—our people.

Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.