Episode 51: The Healthcare Crisis No One Is Talking About

Every day, 10,000 people in the United States turn 65. The care system wasn’t built for those numbers — and the hospitals, trained staff, and facilities needed to keep up simply don’t exist yet. For families trying to find care for a parent right now, the shortage is immediate and concrete.

In this episode of ComForConnections, host Tiffany Robison talks with Christopher Kunney, Managing Partner and Digital Transformation Strategist at IOTech Consulting, LLC, about what’s driving the strain on the care system and what it means for the people dealing with it day to day. With nearly two decades working with care organizations on technology strategy, Kunney brings the big-picture view. As someone who has faced serious illness himself and helped his family through end-of-life decisions, he grounds his insights in real-world experience.

Listen Now:

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why rural communities are getting hit first and hardest as the population ages, and what that means for access to care
• How AI and passive monitoring tools are being used to track chronic conditions, flag health changes, and get ahead of crises like falls before they happen
• What technology can offer older adults dealing with isolation and depression, and where it falls short
• Why the first question families should ask isn’t “should we use this technology” but “what problem are we trying to solve”
• How care professionals can help families sort through their options before a crisis is driving the decision
• Why having conversations about quality of life and end-of-life wishes before a crisis matters

Additional resources:

• Straight Outta Health IT — Christopher’s podcast offers an unfiltered dialogue of healthcare leaders and influencers covering a wide variety of issues affecting healthcare & the health tech industry. 
• IOTech Consulting — Christopher’s consulting firm, which advises healthcare organizations on technology strategy, system implementation, and digital transformation.
• Ask Me Your MD — A telemedicine service that connects patients directly with licensed physicians via live chat, without an appointment or insurance required.

Featured Guest

Christopher Kunney is Managing Partner and Digital Transformation Strategist at IOTech Consulting, LLC, where he advises healthcare organizations on technology strategy, AI adoption, and the operational challenges of delivering care in a rapidly changing environment. He has served as a strategic advisor and fractional leader across the healthcare sector for nearly two decades.

Episode Transcript 

Click here for full transcript

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About the Host

Tiffany Robinson is a passionate advocate for caregiver education. As the host of ComForConnections, she brings warmth, insight, and a deep understanding of the caregiving experience to every episode.