In this episode of Care, Tech & Tips, Bobby and Barry dive into a mix of caregiving challenges, tech tips, and even some unexpected (and slightly questionable) problem-solving strategies.

Topics Covered:

• Caregiving Updates: Bobby shares stories about his mom locking out a caregiver and his father-in-law’s tech adventures.
• Assistive Access Mode on iPhones: Why it’s great for accessibility but needs a little ongoing management.
• The Unexpected Way to Unlock a Phone: A jaw-dropping story about how someone accessed a loved one's phone after their passing.
• The "Talk" You Need to Have: Why discussing account access and digital legacy planning is crucial.
• Online Shopping & Romance Scams: How to keep your loved ones (and yourself) from getting conned.
• Storage Management for Seniors: Helping older family members manage their phone storage before it becomes a crisis.
• The Chopstick Diet Hack? Barry’s surprising take on how using chopsticks might improve your health.
• The 10-5-10 Eating Method: A simple trick to slow down your eating and feel fuller with less food.

Bonus: Why Apple’s 5GB of free iCloud storage is a joke, and what you should do instead.

Welcome to another episode of CareTech & Tips! In this episode, Barry and Bobby dive into:

• Scam Alerts: Medicare scams, toll booth schemes, and data breach traps.
• Caregiver Chronicles: Grocery shopping for loved ones and making smarter tech choices.
• Tech Simplified: Teaching seniors to embrace self-checkout and battling scammy AI pitfalls.
• Legacy Prep: Managing online accounts after a loved one passes away.

We also share personal caregiving stories, laugh over food quirks, and discuss AI tools to make your life easier. Don’t miss this episode filled with practical advice and relatable moments!

Have a topic or question? Email us at caretechandtips@gmail.com.

Episode Title: Caregiving 2025: AI, Wills, and Scams

Episode Summary:
Welcome to 2025! In this episode, Barry and Bobby dive into a wide range of caregiving topics to kick off the new year. From leveraging AI like ChatGPT to simplify caregiving tasks, to navigating the challenges of probate and estate planning, they’ve got you covered. Plus, the hosts discuss how to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams targeting caregivers and seniors.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

1. AI in Caregiving: How tools like ChatGPT can simplify complex tasks like filling out Social Security forms.
2. Estate Planning Insights: Why having a will is essential and how to handle probate efficiently.
3. Scam Alerts: Recognizing and avoiding tech support, phishing, and package delivery scams.
4. Caregiver Preparedness: The importance of tough conversations about end-of-life planning.

Community Shoutouts:
Special thanks to our growing community across the U.S. and beyond, with listeners from Colorado, Chicago, Denmark, and even Russia!

Resources Mentioned:

• Social Security Form SSA-10
• ChatGPT by OpenAI: openai.com
• Probate and estate planning tips

Connect with Us:

• Email: caretechandtips@gmail.com
• Socials: @caretechandtips on YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter)

Subscribe and Review:
Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with your friends. Your support helps us grow our community and bring you more valuable insights.

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.

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

  ResolutionBandwidth Per CameraMulti-Camera SetupNotesADT Cameras1080p2 Mbps5 Mbps for multiple camerasADT integrates with Google Nest; ideal for mixed smart home setups.Google Nest720p/1080p1.2 Mbps (720p), 2 Mbps (1080p)5 Mbps for 2 cameras, ~2 Mbps/additional cameraRobust integration with Google Assistant and Alexa.Amazon Cloud Cam1080p2 MbpsVaries by setupWorks well with Amazon Alexa devices.Apple HomeKit Cameras1080p1.5-2 MbpsVaries based on iCloud usage

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

• Wi-Fi Comparison:

• FeatureWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)Maximum SpeedUp to 9.6 GbpsUp to 46 GbpsFrequency Bands2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHzChannel WidthUp to 160 MHzUp to 320 MHzMulti-Link OperationNot supportedSupportedLatencyImproved over Wi-Fi 5Significantly reduced

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 caretechandtips@gmail.com 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!

Connect and Share:
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend, rate us 5 stars, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.

Welcome back to Care, Tech, & Tips! In this episode, Barry and Bobby dive into the practicalities of setting up loved ones in assisted living or senior care. From organizing virtual birthday parties via FaceTime to setting up reliable tech for assisted living, Barry and Bobby share experiences and advice for making life a little easier for caregivers and their loved ones.

• Virtual Gatherings: Bobby shares a creative way to host a birthday party for his father-in-law, now in assisted living, using FaceTime.
• Choosing Assisted Living Facilities: Barry and Bobby compare their family experiences—what to consider and how to navigate the bureaucratic maze.
• Power Backup for Elderly Care: Tech options like portable battery packs, UPS systems, and emergency power setups for residents.
• Connectivity Solutions: From Wi-Fi upgrades to mobile hotspots, the hosts cover how to ensure loved ones stay connected.
• Self-Care Tips for Caregivers: Barry shares his experience with therapy and techniques for managing caregiver stress.

• Apple’s Notes app with voice transcription for keeping track of important conversations.
• Using personal hotspots and mobile Wi-Fi solutions in facilities with weak internet connectivity.
• Power solutions like UPS backups and battery packs for essential devices in assisted living.

Tune in for a mix of tech tips, personal stories, and practical advice designed to make caregiving a bit more manageable!