2026 Tech Awards categories

Awards will be awarded (Gold, Silver and Bronze — if warranted) in each of the categories listed below. 

Categories: 

• Building Bridges: Winning entries will describe how technology is used to improve connections between staff members, care providers or residents/patients and their families. Submissions should address the methodology and overall impact, supported by specific, quantifiable results. It is the responsibility of the nominator (if the nominator is a vendor) to identify a long-term care provider that will be listed as part of the winning entry. 

• NEW - Creative Use of AI: Winning entries shall describe how particularly creative use of artificial intelligence was incorporated into a product or service that made a significant difference for a long-term care operator. Submissions should address the overall impact with specific and quantifiable results. It is the responsibility of the nominator (if the nominator is a vendor) to identify a long-term care provider that will be listed as part of the winning entry.

• Electronic Health Records: This category recognizes stakeholders that have worked together to play a pivotal role in helping communities and/or agencies via electronic health records, thereby streamlining resident/patient information management. It is the responsibility of the nominator (if the nominator is a vendor) to identify a long-term care provider that will be listed as part of the winning entry.

• Emerging Technology: This category acknowledges innovators who have developed technology-driven tools showing great potential for improving care and/or the bottom line — even though they may not yet be fully in the marketplace. 

• Falls Prevention, Management or Detection: This category recognizes the use of technology that helps long-term care providers reduce the risk of falls-related injuries among residents, patients or clients. It is the responsibility of the nominator (if the nominator is a vendor) to identify a long-term care provider that will be listed as part of the winning entry.

• Home Grown: This category recognizes long-term care operators only (no vendors are eligible). They shall have independently developed and implemented a technology-driven improvement that enhances care or services and/or the bottom line. 

• Innovator of the Year: Winning entries must describe how technological innovation was key to success and its impact on the provision of care, services and/or the bottom line. Submissions should address the overall impact with specific and quantifiable results. It is the responsibility of the nominator (if the nominator is a vendor) to identify a long-term care provider that will be listed as part of the winning entry.

• KISS (Keep It Super Simple): Winning entries will describe a simple but effective application of technology that improved the provision of care and/or services and/or operations. Submissions should address the overall impact, along with results as specific and quantifiable as possible. It is the responsibility of the nominator (if the nominator is a vendor) to identify a long-term care provider that will be listed as part of the winning entry.

• Quality: Winning entries should describe the technology involved and its application to improve the quality of care or services. Submissions must address the overall impact, supported by specific and quantifiable results. It is the responsibility of the nominator (if the nominator is a vendor) to identify a long-term care provider that will be listed as part of the winning entry.  

• Resident Engagement and Recreation: This category recognizes the use of technologies that long-term care providers used to promote resident engagement, social interaction and recreational activities, enhancing the overall well-being and quality of life for residents, patients and clients. It is the responsibility of the nominator (if the nominator is a vendor) to identify a long-term care provider that will be listed as part of the winning entry.

• Resident/Patient Monitoring and Safety: This category recognizes long-term care providers and vendors that have worked together to deliver innovations in monitoring systems and safety technologies that helped providers in their efforts to improve resident/patient well-being and reduce risks. It is the responsibility of the nominator (if the nominator is a vendor) to identify a long-term care provider that will be listed as part of the winning entry.

• Staff Scheduling and Management: This category recognizes use of solutions that helped long-term care providers optimize staff scheduling, improve communication and enhance overall workforce management. It is the responsibility of the nominator (if the nominator is a vendor) to identify a long-term care provider that will be listed as part of the winning entry.

• NEW - Tech Champion: This award recognizes an individual or individuals who have had a significant effect on their organizations’ use of technological products or services to deliver outstanding results for individuals, departments, communities, facilities or companies with which they associate. Nominations should describe in detail the nature of the work or service performed and its tangible positive effects. Eligibility is restricted to employees at senior living, skilled nursing or home health/home care provider companies only.

• Training and Education: This category recognizes the use of platforms that long-term care operators use to provide comprehensive training and education opportunities to their employees, ensuring continuous professional development. It is the responsibility of the nominator (if the nominator is a vendor) to identify a long-term care provider that will be listed as part of the winning entry.  

Winners will be featured in a special awards section of our print magazines, in our newsletters and on our websites, ensuring unparalleled exposure to our extensive readership and the broader aging services community.