Spotlight on New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA): An Interview with Director Greg Olsen

This month, I had the opportunity to speak with Greg Olsen, Director of the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA). NYSOFA assists older New Yorkers to be as independent as possible, for as long as possible, through advocacy and the development and delivery of programs and services that support and empower older New Yorkers and their families, in partnership with the network of public and private organizations that serve them. 

We discussed NYSOFA’s innovative work in aging services. In this wide-ranging interview, Greg shared his perspective on fostering public-private partnerships, driving trust in AgeTech solutions, and creating opportunities for older adults to thrive. 

— Sarah Richard

P.S. - if you’re in the New York area, please RSVP for next Tuesday’s AgeTech NYC Fireside Chat with Abby Levy at Primetime Partners!

What are you most proud of in NYSOFA's history of engaging with and supporting early-stage AgeTech companies in New York?

GO: "We have 29 public-private partnerships with tech and AI companies, serving over 1 million more people. What we’re doing isn’t just about what we should do, but what we can do—and what we’re proving is possible. Technology won’t replace human care, but it can be a vital tool to build upon our service models."

What do you see as the biggest opportunities for early-stage AgeTech founders in New York? Are there any particular untapped areas within aging services that are ripe for innovation?

GO: "I get this question all the time—‘What’s the next big thing?’—and my answer is always the same: I have no idea, but I’ll know it when I see it. What I do know is that there’s a ton of duplication in the market right now. Many solutions are similar with slight tweaks. The challenge is trust—how do consumers, agencies, or healthcare systems know what’s legitimate? That’s where NYSOFA comes in. By testing, measuring, and endorsing solutions, we provide that trust and help entrepreneurs scale."

What defines a solution that stands out to you?

GO: "I vet companies at least once a week. A great solution fills a gap and delivers measurable results. For example, we’ve tested animatronic pets to combat loneliness, strength-training programs like Team Vivo to prevent falls, and tools for people with dementia that reduce psychotropic medication use and calm wandering. We’ve also implemented an AI-driven bidet targeting older women with UTI histories and a ring with infrared control for veterans and older adults with disabilities. These are tools solving real problems."

Can you explain NYSOFA’s approach to fostering collaboration and cross-pollination between solutions?

GO: "Where appropriate, we integrate solutions to create ecosystems rather than standalone products. For example, with caregiver support, we pair the Caregiver Intensity Index from Archangels with Tualta’s training platform and our New York Connects resource directory. If you use one, you’re automatically connected to the others. Similarly, our partnership with Get Set Up integrates lifelong learning with caregiving resources. The goal is to create comprehensive solutions that address multiple needs at once."

What advice would you share with entrepreneurs looking to align their solutions with New York State policies and compliance requirements for aging services?

GO: "Governments are reactive, not proactive, so entrepreneurs need to clearly articulate the ROI of their solutions—whether it’s cost savings, better health outcomes, or improved efficiency. The challenge is proving trustworthiness, demonstrating results, and showing sustainability. At NYSOFA, we take the risk of piloting new solutions to validate them and then use our name to build trust."

What new initiatives are you most excited about?

GO: "I’m excited about several initiatives, including fraud prevention tools like Fraud Finder, which uses AI to detect financial red flags; linguistics analysis to identify loneliness, depression, or anxiety through speech patterns; and brain health programs that improve cognitive function and reduce dementia risk. These initiatives tackle significant challenges in aging services and have the potential to create a meaningful impact."

Any final thoughts on fostering innovation in aging services?

GO: "You can’t score if you don’t take a shot on goal. Testing new ideas isn’t risky—it’s essential. Even if something doesn’t work, you’ve learned something valuable. That’s how we keep moving forward."