Care Tech and Tips

Follow along as Barry guides you through a progressive muscle relaxation technique you can use every day to help your body recapture what "normal" feels like.

In this episode of Care Tech and Tips, Barry and Bobby dive into a tech-filled discussion designed to make caregiving easier and more efficient. From Bobby’s triumph with Assistive Access for his father-in-law to Barry’s game-changing use of FaceTime screen sharing, the hosts explore how technology can save time, reduce stress, and bring caregivers peace of mind. They also tackle practical challenges like setting up Wi-Fi networks for smart cameras and managing the quirks of old-school mechanical timers.

Barry wraps up the episode with a heartfelt segment on stress management, introducing a progressive muscle relaxation technique and promising a bonus guided exercise episode to help listeners reset and recharge. Packed with humor, real-life wins, and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone juggling caregiving and technology.

Key Takeaways:

• Assistive Access: Simplifies iPhone/iPad functionality for seniors, offering large buttons and easy navigation.
• Screen Sharing via FaceTime: Saves time by allowing remote control and troubleshooting of loved ones’ devices.
• Wi-Fi Upgrades: Moving to Wi-Fi 6 or 7 can ensure better performance for smart cameras and connected devices.
• Camera Bandwidth Needs: Security cameras require robust bandwidth; plan accordingly when setting up multiple devices.
• Stress Management: Progressive muscle relaxation can help caregivers reset and reduce anxiety.
• Plan for Tech Updates: Anticipate changes like dark mode to avoid confusing older loved ones.

Soundbites:

1. “Assistive Access turned my father-in-law’s phone back into just a phone — and that’s all he needed.”
2. “Screen sharing saved me three hours of driving and a ton of frustration!”
3. “Wi-Fi upgrades are no longer optional if you’re running smart cameras.”
4. “Mechanical timers: simple in theory, maddening in practice.”
5. “Resetting your body’s normal after stress is the key to feeling human again.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Camera Bandwidth Recommendations:

• Brand

  Resolution Bandwidth Per Camera Multi-Camera Setup Notes ADT Cameras 1080p 2 Mbps 5 Mbps for multiple cameras ADT integrates with Google Nest; ideal for mixed smart home setups. Google Nest 720p/1080p 1.2 Mbps (720p), 2 Mbps (1080p) 5 Mbps for 2 cameras, ~2 Mbps/additional camera Robust integration with Google Assistant and Alexa. Amazon Cloud Cam 1080p 2 Mbps Varies by setup Works well with Amazon Alexa devices. Apple HomeKit Cameras 1080p 1.5-2 Mbps Varies based on iCloud usage

  High-quality video; additional bandwidth may be needed for iCloud storage.

• Wi-Fi Comparison:
• Feature Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) Maximum Speed Up to 9.6 Gbps Up to 46 Gbps Frequency Bands 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz Channel Width Up to 160 MHz Up to 320 MHz Multi-Link Operation Not supported Supported Latency Improved over Wi-Fi 5 Significantly reduced Target Applications Dense environments High-demand scenarios Backward Compatibility Yes Yes

Stress Relief Bonus: Barry shared insights on progressive muscle relaxation, a quick technique to help caregivers unwind. Look out for a bonus guided exercise episode to practice this at your own pace.

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Thanks for tuning in to Episode 8. See you in two weeks for more Care, Tech & Tips!

Hey there, and welcome to another episode of Care Tech & Tips!

This week, Bobby and I dive into the world of Halloween traditions, tech, and a few caregiving tales that’ll hit close to home. We start off with some holiday fun (yes, I’m in my trusty Kung Fu Panda costume again!) and chat about everything from candy counts to Halloween’s “scary” caregiving moments. T

hen, we get into one of the biggest problems caregivers face today—managing finances and protecting loved ones from tech risks, like leaving checks in mailboxes or handling online payments safely. We also cover how tech can make life easier: I walk you through ways to simplify bill payments, cut down on paper clutter, and keep track of those account balances without constant worry.

One of the highlights this week? We dig into a topic that’s personal for me: using AirPods as hearing aids and how tech like this can be a game-changer for your loved ones. From doing in-home hearing tests to setting up custom sound adjustments, we talk about why these devices are more than just earbuds.

Finally, we chat about getting your loved ones set up with easy access to entertainment (yep, Wheel of Fortune included) and the importance of paring down clutter around the home. If you’re looking for practical tips with a laugh or two along the way, you’re in the right place.

Give us a listen, and don’t forget to subscribe!

In this conversation, Bobby and Barry discuss the importance of having conversations with loved ones about life and death. They share personal experiences of asking their parents questions and recording their stories. They emphasize the significance of creating memories and recording them in a way that makes sense, whether through journaling, videos, or audio recordings. The conversation also touches on the topic of caregiving for aging parents, including the need for discussions about finances, wills, medical needs, and final wishes. They provide tips on using technology, such as cameras and screen sharing, to keep an eye on loved ones and stay connected. The conversation covers various topics related to remote support and caregiving for aging parents. It emphasizes the importance of using technology to provide assistance and support from a distance. The speakers discuss tools like Chrome Remote Desktop and paid remote access software. They also highlight the significance of preparing for emergencies and disaster recovery, including creating a list of accounts, passwords, and important documents. The conversation touches on the challenges of getting elderly parents to eat properly and engage with healthcare providers, as well as the importance of having conversations about health and planning for the future.

Sites Mentioned:

https://getyourshittogether.org

http://trustandwill.com

https://care.com

https://comfortkeepers.com

Follow us on Instagram, Threads, or X at: @caretechandtips

In this episode of Care Tech and Tips, Barry Johnson and Bobby Clark dive into the wild world of caregiving tech. From battling the endless spam calls to unraveling the mysteries of banking for our loved ones, we've got it all. We also geek out about the fresh iOS 18 features, like screen sharing (because explaining tech over the phone is so last year). Plus, Barry and Bobby break down the Eisenhower Matrix—fancy talk for “how not to lose your mind” when caregiving—and introduce Assistive Access, the tech that makes smartphones senior-friendly.

Takeaways

• Spam calls be gone! We talk about how to block those pesky callers using built-in phone features.
• iOS 18 is here to save us all with screen sharing for when "turn it off and on again" doesn’t cut it.
• The Eisenhower Matrix: Helping you figure out what’s urgent and what can wait (like that laundry you’ve ignored).
• Knowing your loved one's banking situation can save a lot of headaches.
• Automatic bill drafts = less stress. Seriously, let the robots handle it!
• Assistive Access makes smartphones easy enough for even your most tech-resistant relatives.
• Embrace technology—it’s your caregiving sidekick.
• Thinking about a phone upgrade? We’ll tell you when it’s worth it.
• Keeping communication open is the key to smooth financial management for your loved ones.
• Apps like Cash App and Venmo: Making caregiving payments feel less like a chore and more like, well, a tap on your phone.

Links

• Eisenhower Matrix: https://www.eisenhower.me/
• Team Viewer: https://www.teamviewer.com/
• Gazelle (Buy/Sell Gentle Used Phones): https://buy.gazelle.com/
• Apple Refurbished Devices: https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished
• Apple/IOS Assistive Access: https://support.apple.com/guide/assistive-access-iphone/welcome/ios
• Send Unknown Callers Directly to Voicemail, Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/iphone/iphe4b3f7823/ios
• Send Unknown Callers Directly to Voicemail, Android: https://www.foxnews.com/tech/how-send-spam-calls-directly-voicemail-your-phone

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Care Tech and Tips
• 03:21 Managing Spam Calls and Phone Features
• 06:05 Eisenhower Matrix for Caregiving
• 11:56 Banking and Financial Management for Loved Ones
• 19:31 iOS 18 Features for Caregiving
• 29:14 Assistive Access and Simplifying Technology