Care Tech and Tips

In this episode, Barry and Bobby navigate the alphabet soup of caregiving acronyms like ALFs (Assisted Living Facilities), SNARFs (Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Facilities), and ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). They dive into:

• ADLs 101: Why these daily activities are crucial in determining long-term care insurance eligibility.
• Preventing Scams: A deep dive into the dangerous “reshipping scam” and practical steps to protect your loved ones.
• Tech for Caregivers: From recording calls with iOS 18 to AI-powered note-taking devices like the Plaud Notepin.
• The Power of Pictures: Preserving memories through photo scanners and backup tips.
• Holiday Caregiving: Tips for juggling caregiving responsibilities while making the holidays special.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• ADLs: Learn more about Activities of Daily Living and their role in caregiving here: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/activities-of-daily-living-adls
• Plaud Notepin: Discover this AI-powered gadget here: https://www.plaud.ai/products
• Reshipping Scams: Tips to recognize and avoid common scams targeting seniors here: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0030-pass-it-on

Listener Call-Out:
We love hearing from you! Email us at [email protected] with your questions, tips, or stories. Who knows? You might inspire our next episode!

Shoutout to Our Listeners:
Thanks, Chicago, for being our top listening city this month! Seneca, SC, and friends across the U.S., you’re amazing too!

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In this episode of Caregiving Tech & Tips, Barry and Bobby dive into some essential, often-overlooked legal and tech considerations for caregivers. The conversation kicks off with a discussion on the importance of wills, digital assets, and ensuring access to key documents. They emphasize the importance of having detailed plans and conversations about guardianship, medical directives, and ensuring loved ones are cared for in the event of the unexpected.

But the tech talk doesn't stop there! Barry shares a wild tech story involving an elderly woman's spinal stimulator implant. What happens when old technology goes haywire and someone accidentally cranks up the voltage? Tune in to find out about this cautionary tale of remote controls, forgotten medical implants, and unintended pain that rivals even the trickiest IT issues!

Resources Mentioned:

• Your Checklist of documents to have a handle on:
  
  • Wills: how they work, who is in charge, mistakes to avoid and who-gets-what (beneficiaries)
  • Trusts: how a trust works, pros and cons, beneficiaries and “Do I need one? Maybe
  • Living Wills (or Advanced Care Directives ) the medical care you and don’t want if you’re unable to speak for yourself
  • Death Care, Funerals and Memorials where your body goes and what happens after you die
  • Guardianship & Custody documents who will care for your children, dependent adults or pets
  • Money & Insurance policies, financial accounts and who owns (or owes) which assets
  • Power of Attorney who will help handle your financial affairs if you cannot
  • Digital Accounts and Assets how will someone locate and access ALL your online accounts

Contact us: Email your questions and suggestions to [email protected].

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!

We are taking a short break over the holidays. We'll be back to our every other week schedule on January 13th. Happy Holidays to you all.